If you enjoyed the South Taurids meteor shower and the recent blood moon, you should know that a new similar astronomical event will take place very soon. This one will be closely related to the previous one, as it is the North Taurids meteor shower!
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Debris from comet 2P/Encke
As you know, a meteor shower is associated with a comet. No, the celestial objects that rub against our atmosphere are not moving stars (fortunately so, because their attraction would be fatal to us).
In the case of the North Taurids meteor shower, like that of the South Taurids meteor shower, the comet in question is 2P/Encke, discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1786 and later studied by the astronomer Johann Franz Encke. Incidentally, the Taurids were named so, due to their radiant (the point from which they appear to come) is from the constellation, Taurus. Taurus...Taurids—the link makes perfect sense.
Period of activity and peak of the Northern Taurids
The North Taurids meteor shower runs from 20 October to 10 November. Its peak is expected to occur on the night of 11-12 November. Like its predecessor, this will be a small event: about 5 meteors per hour are expected. If you want to see a spectacular star shower, wait for the Leonids, which could be one of the most impressive of the year.
This article was translated from Gentside FR.
