November makes it special for all sky watchers as it brings you two meteor showers. Beginning tonight, watch out for the South Taurids. The showers will go on till November 12.
Well-known for having a high percentage of fireballs, or exceptionally bright meteors, you cannot miss it because the waxing crescent moon provides dark skies for better viewing. If you missed the South Taurids, mark your calendar for the North Taurids on November 11 night or in the early hours of November 12.
Two days later, it’s time for the Leonids. These showers begin on November 6 and will peak on the night of November 16. The showers continue till the end of the month. On clear days, you will be able to catch up to 20 showers an hour.
You might also get a good glimpse of Venus as it stays closest to Saturn. For a brief while every day, Venus will linger between Mercury and Saturn till November 23. If you can get your hands on a pair of binoculars, look out for the dwarf planet Ceres which crosses the asteriod belt of Eris which lies between Mars and Jupiter.
The full moon that will occur on November 14 will nearly coincide with perigee (the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the earth), making it a super moon. The moon will turn full at 19:00 hours when it comes closest at a distance 3,56,536 km of the Earth. The moon’s average distance from the Earth in its elliptical orbit is 3,84,470 km. (The last time the moon came this close was on January 26, 1948.) Expect a wide range in ocean tides (exceptionally low to exceptionally high), for the next few days.
Did you know?
The Leonid shower is best known for producing strong meteor storms about every 33 years. The next time this will occur is November 2023.
For a good view
You can see the meteor showers provided it is a clear sky.
Look out for the dates of the showers and when it peaks. Your chances of viewing are highest on the day the showers peak.
The best viewing times are usually pre-dawn and late evening. In nearly all showers, the radiant is highest just before dawn.
You don’t need any special equipment. In fact, binoculars do not work for meteor showers. The naked eye is best.
