The warmth of November is enough to make you feel incredibly lucky to be alive. There is so much to look forward to, most especially getting together with family and friends for Thanksgiving. However, just as you are preparing to gather with your loved ones, the night sky is also planning a little fireball surprise for millions of Americans.
A rare celestial event decided to steal the show
On its own, the universe is a grand circus with several extravagant showstoppers. Sometimes, we on Earth get the opportunity to see the shows. And, more times than not, these shows leave us overwhelmed and excited. In this same fashion, the universe is preparing to surprise us and our loves this November.
As the Thanksgiving holiday is around the corner, astronomers have begun to report increased activity in outer space. What could this be? When said astronomers analyzed the situation, they realized that Earth may once again be visited by one of their favorite showstoppers: a meteor shower. Except this time, this is no simple meteor shower.
Scientists have predicted that a meteor shower, in the form of extreme fireballs, would light the sky of America across all 50 states. This November’s fireball event is said to be unlike any ever witnessed in history. However, the anticipation around this event is not just about fireballs, but about how every one of us would get a front-row seat to see this event.
Experts explain the science behind these spectacular fireballs
Meteor showers are not new to Earth. They are celestial events where several meteors originating from a point are observed to radiate. The point these meteors originate from is usually a wandering asteroid or comet. These meteors come off the body of the asteroid like a grain of sand from a rock. When they fall extraordinarily fast, we refer to them as fireballs.
According to NASA’s meteor experts, the fireballs are linked to the upcoming Taurid meteor showers. There are two of them:
- The Southern Taurids: This is predicted to be active between September 13 and November 12.
- The Northern Taurids: This is predicted to be active between October 13 and December 2.
Both of these predictions are in accordance with reports from the astronomy website Earth Sky, just like the Leonid meteor shower across North America.
The Taurid meteors are believed to be larger than regular-sized meteors and fall for longer periods as well. The two meteors are believed to originate from the comet Encke. Experts at NASA report that the fireballs would appear cinematic because the meteors are entering our atmosphere at a slow speed. Hence, the fireballs would be easy to see.
Is there a reason the dates for the event are in ranges
First of all, you must understand that the Taurids peak on varied dates. This means it is scientifically impossible for anyone to know exactly when the fireballs would occur. The best we can do, like astronomers have, is to count on credible reports from the American Meteor Society and the Observer’s Handbook. From Canada.
How to maximize this Fireball event as an American
Astronomers say this is not the first time the Taurids have entered Earth’s atmosphere. The comet Encke is believed to orbit the sun every 3.3 years, which means the last time anyone saw the Taurids was in 2022. Even then, astronomers reported the meteors to enter Earth with high concentrations of large meteor debris.
This year, the Taurids are believed to peak on November 9. Now, if you want to locate this masterpiece, you do not need any fancy tools or telescopes; all you need to do is look through the sky between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. While you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us also do our best to participate in this cosmic event of fire, just like this unique nationwide cosmic event this November.
