Tonight's Meteor Shower Peak May Be the Brightest Out of the Three Expected This Month — How to See It

Stephanie Vermillion
·2-min read

Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks overnight tonight and will be most active around midnight.

Dennis Astroth/Getty Images Perseids meteor shower

Dennis Astroth/Getty Images

Perseids meteor shower

November may have three meteor showers, but only one will coincide with a dim, near-to-new moon: the Southern Taurids.

This interstellar display, which runs from Sept. 23 through Dec. 8, will peak overnight tonight, according to the American Meteor Society It’s not the most action-packed of the year’s meteor showers, but if you find yourself in a dark-sky destination, such as a stargazing hotel, or you can get far from city lights, it’s worth staying up late. The Southern Taurids often produce one of the most coveted night-sky sightings — colorful and eye-popping meteors, known as fireballs. Here’s how to catch the show.

When to See the Southern Taurid Meteor Shower

The Southern Taurids are visible nearly everywhere on Earth outside of the South Pole. The shower peaks overnight from Nov. 4 to 5, and will be most active around midnight, according to EarthSky.org.That said, the Southern Taurids don’t have a major activity spike like other showers, so you can also head out to watch for shooting stars in the nights following this as well.

The early November timing is ideal because, on this night, the moon is in its waxing crescent phase and only 11 percent illuminated, meaning our lunar spotlight won’t wash out the shooting stars and fireballs.

Where to Look for the Souther Taurid Meteor Shower

The Southern Taurids will be visible near the Taurus constellation, which rises in the eastern sky soon after dark. It will be high in the sky around midnight; look for Mars and Jupiter, both nearby, as you await the bright sky streaks. (Although temper your expectations: this is a mild show, with only around 10 meteors per hour at peak.)

For optimal Southern Taurids viewing, head to a dark-sky spot with clear overhead views, such as a hilltop or a large field. You don’t need a telescope or binoculars for your Southern Taurids chase, but a blanket, warm coat, and headlamp with red-light capabilities will help you stay safe and cozy throughout the night.

If you want to catch another meteor shower this month, watch for the Southern Taurids’ partner shower, the Northern Taurid meteor shower, which peaks Nov. 11 to 12. This display does coincide with a bright, nearly full moon, so if you’re choosing just one shower to chase, make it Nov. 4.

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