Ed Grzyb caught this Taurid fireball from Boston on the morning of November 3.
We’ve had submissions of many spectacular photos of Taurid fireballs – or exceptionally bright meteors – over this past week. And there are likely more fireballs to come. Taurid meteors are split into two streams: the South and North Taurids. Both showers are known for fireballs. The South Taurids peak on the morning of November 5, 2015, but the North Taurids are still to come, too. The American Meteor Society was speaking of the North Taurids (whose peak is on the night of November 11) when it said on its website:
There seems to be a seven-year periodicity with these fireballs. 2008 was the last remarkable year. Perhaps 2015 will be the next?
And so it seems to be!
Why is there a seven-year cycle of Taurid fireballs? In its Taurid article, the American Meteor Society explained:
These increased numbers of fireballs are due to the fact that the Earth encounters larger than normal particles shed by comet 2P/Encke, the parent comet of the the Taurids.
The International Meteor Organization (IMO) agrees and added:
Taurid swarm return: Model calculations by David Asher have indicated the possibility there may be a return of the Taurid ‘swarm’ of larger particles this year, in October-November.
You’ll find the IMO’s explanation on the bottom of page 12 and top of page 13, here, if you want to try to plow through it.
In the meantime, enjoy these photos of Taurid fireballs from EarthSky community members … and look up!
View larger. | 2015 Taurid fireball leaves a puff of dust. Captured by Adam Trenholm.
Taurid fireball caught on the morning of November 4, 2015 by James Younger on Vancouver Island.
View larger. | Joe Randall in Colorado caught one Taurid fireball (left side of photo) and a debris trail left by a second one (red swirl on right). Thanks, Joe!
View larger. | Taurid fireball caught by Eliot Herman in Tucson at 3:38 a.m. on November 1, 2015. Thank you, Elliot!
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1XPVjpz
Ed Grzyb caught this Taurid fireball from Boston on the morning of November 3.
We’ve had submissions of many spectacular photos of Taurid fireballs – or exceptionally bright meteors – over this past week. And there are likely more fireballs to come. Taurid meteors are split into two streams: the South and North Taurids. Both showers are known for fireballs. The South Taurids peak on the morning of November 5, 2015, but the North Taurids are still to come, too. The American Meteor Society was speaking of the North Taurids (whose peak is on the night of November 11) when it said on its website:
There seems to be a seven-year periodicity with these fireballs. 2008 was the last remarkable year. Perhaps 2015 will be the next?
And so it seems to be!
Why is there a seven-year cycle of Taurid fireballs? In its Taurid article, the American Meteor Society explained:
These increased numbers of fireballs are due to the fact that the Earth encounters larger than normal particles shed by comet 2P/Encke, the parent comet of the the Taurids.
The International Meteor Organization (IMO) agrees and added:
Taurid swarm return: Model calculations by David Asher have indicated the possibility there may be a return of the Taurid ‘swarm’ of larger particles this year, in October-November.
You’ll find the IMO’s explanation on the bottom of page 12 and top of page 13, here, if you want to try to plow through it.
In the meantime, enjoy these photos of Taurid fireballs from EarthSky community members … and look up!
View larger. | 2015 Taurid fireball leaves a puff of dust. Captured by Adam Trenholm.
Taurid fireball caught on the morning of November 4, 2015 by James Younger on Vancouver Island.
View larger. | Joe Randall in Colorado caught one Taurid fireball (left side of photo) and a debris trail left by a second one (red swirl on right). Thanks, Joe!
View larger. | Taurid fireball caught by Eliot Herman in Tucson at 3:38 a.m. on November 1, 2015. Thank you, Elliot!
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1XPVjpz
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