The Northern Taurid Meteor Shower doesn’t officially peak until around Nov. 12, but the smart viewing window opens Monday, Nov. 9. That’s when a New Moon leaves the sky almost completely dark, the ideal condition for spotting the shower’s signature long, luminescent tails. Expect roughly 8 to 12 shooting stars per hour, and since the peak is still days out, any clear night next week could put on a good show.
To find the action, look for the constellation Taurus just northeast of Orion, with the Pleiades star cluster as a handy guidepost. Tuesday, Nov. 10 is nearly as good, since a one-day-old moon produces very little glare. Give your eyes about twenty minutes to adjust to the darkness, and skip the phone screen while you wait.
Photographers, this one’s for you: set your camera to shutter priority mode, use a 20- to 30-second exposure, and put it on a tripod. The Taurid tails are bright and long enough that even beginners can walk away with a frame worth sharing. No tickets, no gear required for the rest of us, just a jacket and a patch of open sky.
Are you planning to head outside Monday night? Tell us where you’ll be watching.
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Local Lawton
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