Taurid Meteor Swarm Hits Night Skies This Week! Watch for Fireballs

First Posted: Nov 05, 2015 09:52 AM EST
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The Taurid meteor shower may be shining extra bright this week. NASA scientists have announced that the annual Taurid meteor shower is about to put on a once-in-a-decade event, known as the Taurid meteor swarm.

Meteor showers, which feature "shooting stars" are relatively common. They're actually the result of pieces of debris hitting Earth's atmosphere, heating up to incandescence, and streaking across the sky as the Earth moves through space.

The Taurid meteor shower occurs every year between September and December as Earth passes through debris trailing behind Comet Encke. Because the Taurids last for several weeks, they're divided into two separate showers. There's the "South Taurids," which peak today, Thursday (Nov. 5) and the "North Taurids," which peak a week later on Thursday (Nov. 12).

This year, though, we may be in for a treat: fireballs. The increased number of fireballs from the Taurids this year can be blamed on the fact that earth is encountering larger than normal particles being shed by the comet.

Over the next few nights, be sure to look up. You're going to want to catch a glimpse of this meteor shower that's predicted to be absolutely spectacular. Make sure you're away from bright, city lights and simply enjoy the sky show.

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