Science & Tech · Space · 3 hrs ago
Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks overnight Nov. 4-5
The Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks overnight Nov.
4-5, offering a chance to see meteors in the night sky.
Earth passes through debris left by Comet Encke, producing the Southern and Northern branches of the Taurids.
The Southern peak could bring up to five meteors an hour, though the shower usually produces only a handful each hour.
Some Taurid meteors become bright fireballs, which can shine at least as brightly as Venus.
For the best chance to see them, find a dark location around midnight and look away from the constellation Taurus, where the meteors appear to start.
The Northern Taurids are expected to peak overnight Nov.
11-12, with a similar predicted rate.
The Southern Taurid meteor shower is expected to reach its second yearly peak overnight Nov. 4-5.
The shower usually produces only a handful of meteors each hour, but this peak is associated with increased fireball activity.
Up to five meteors per hour could be visible during the peak.
The Taurid meteor showers are caused by debris streams left behind by Comet Encke.
For the best chance of seeing meteors, Space.com recommends watching from a dark location around midnight.
- Who
- Stargazers can watch the Southern Taurid meteor shower.
- What
- The shower is expected to peak, with increased fireball activity.
- When
- Overnight Nov. 4-5, 2026.
- Where
- In the night sky; the shower’s radiant is in the constellation Taurus, in the southeastern sky during November evenings.
- Why
- Earth is passing through debris streams left behind by Comet Encke, whose particles burn up in the atmosphere.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Southern Taurid shower’s first yearly peak occurred.
The Southern Taurids are expected to reach their second yearly peak.
The Northern Taurid stream is expected to peak.
- Peak
- Overnight Nov. 4-5
- Expected rate
- Up to five meteors per hour
- Southern Taurids active
- Sept. 20 to Nov. 20
- Comet Encke width
- 3 miles (4.8 kilometers)
- Comet Encke orbit
- Once every 3.3 years