Meteors streak across the sky over a desert during the Orionid meteor shower on Oct. 22, 2023 in Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
VCG/VCG via Getty Images
Central Texas skies could deliver a small show this week as the Northern Taurids send a few bright meteors over Austin.
The Northern Taurids are a long-running meteor shower that produces a few slow, bright meteors per hour with a higher chance of eye-catching fireballs. The stream is active from late October to early December and does not have a sharp peak, but Tuesday into Wednesday is the best window this week.
Where to watch the Northern Taurids meteor shower
You do not need a telescope. Lie back and scan the entire sky. If you want a landmark, find Orion rising in the east, then look up and left to spot Taurus and the Pleiades. That spot in the sky is called the radiant, which is where the meteors seem to originate, but you can see them anywhere overhead; mainly just avoid city lights.
What time is the Northern Taurids meteor shower?
Plan for midnight to pre-dawn on Tuesday night and Wednesday night when Taurus rides high. Rates are modest, around two per hour for the Northern Taurids this week, but the payoff is slow movers that can flare bright. The moon will be near last quarter on Nov. 12, so block it with a building or tree to improve contrast.
Clear and dry skies are expected both nights, which is ideal for meteor watching. Tuesday brings breezy, low-humidity conditions and a Red Flag Warning during the day, but nights should stay calm and cool. Wednesday night looks warmer with clear skies continuing.
Why do these meteors happen?
The Taurids are debris left by Comet Encke and related objects. Sometimes there are chunkier bits in the stream, which is why Taurids get a reputation for occasional fireballs even when the hourly rate is low.
Your meteor-viewing checklist
- Bring a reclining chair and layers.
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust.
- Turn your phone brightness down.
- Look up often and be patient.
Miss it this week? It's back in a few days.
Don't worry if clouds roll in or you strike out. The Leonids are up next, Nov. 17–18, and Taurids can still pop up on any clear night through early December.