The Northern Taurid Meteor Shower will peak Nov. 12, and it will be visible to residents in and around Cedar City, Utah until Dec. 10.
Named after the Taurus constellation, the Taurid Meteor Shower consists of the Northern and Southern Taurids. The Southern Taurids will reach the end of their visibility on Nov. 20. While they bring fewer meteors per hour than other meteor showers, the Taurids are famous for their eye-catching fireballs.
“It’s simply the fact that when a Taurid appears, it’s usually big and bright,” says NASA’s Bill Cooke. “It’ll knock your eyes out.”
These fireballs, nicknamed “Halloween fireballs,” will be coming from the southeast, but they can be seen all over the night sky.
Less than a one hour drive from Cedar City is Cedar Breaks National Monument, a perfect viewing area for the upcoming shower. For closer locations, Three Peaks Recreation Area and Kolob Canyon offer both dark skies and unique views.
When selecting a spot to view the shower, it’s recommended to keep away from lights such as nearby cars or a phone screen. Meteor watchers should plan to bring plenty of warm clothing and blankets.
For more information about where to watch the Taurids meteor shower, visit the Cedar City website.
Author: Anna Seipert
Photo: Courtesy of CNN
Editor: Briar Adams
outdoors@suunews.net
