Meteor shower
Southern Taurids
Peak / best inCalculating countdown…
A long, gentle shower known for slow meteors and occasional brilliant fireballs.
Date Thursday, November 5, 2026
Local time 01:00
Visibility Excellent
Location Bucharest
Event in numbers
- Ideal peak rate
- 7 meteors/h
- ZHR: very dark sky, radiant overhead. Your count will usually be lower.
- Active period
- 10 Sept 2026 – 20 Nov 2026
- Meteors can occur beyond the peak night.
- Approximate peak date
- 5 Nov 2026
- Exact peak time is not established for this year.
- Best local viewing time
- 01:00 · 5 Nov 2026
- Best sampled radiant height during local darkness near the peak.
- Radiant
- Taurus
- The direction the trails appear to come from; watch a wider area.
- Typical meteor speed
- 27 km/s
- Approximate speed relative to Earth, before atmospheric deceleration.
- Parent body
- Comet 2P/Encke
- Earth crosses debris left along this body’s orbit.
- Radiant height
- 59°
- S · at the best local viewing time
- Moon illumination
- 19%
- Illuminated disc at the viewing time; Moon height also matters.
What to know
Best around midnight59° radiant altitude toward SVisible from both hemispheres7 ideal ZHR · the real count is usually lower19% MoonNaked eyePeak time is approximate; reviewed against the annual IMO calendar
How this was calculated
Reference event
Active period Sep 10–Nov 21Best sampled moment: Thursday, November 5, 2026 03:00
- Source
- International Meteor Organization annual shower calendar
- Method
- Published activity ranges with Moon interference calculated for the peak.
- Accuracy and limits
- Meteor peaks can drift by several hours and the quoted rate assumes a dark sky with the radiant high overhead.
Where to look Face the darkest open part of the sky. The radiant marks the apparent origin of the trails; you do not need to stare at it.
What to bring Your eyes and a wide view of the sky. A reclining chair is more useful here than a telescope or binoculars.
What to expect
An occasional Taurid fireball can be memorable, but a quiet hour is also normal for this shower.
Before you leave
- Choose a safe dark spot away from direct lamps, with room to recline and an easy route back.
- Check the overnight temperature and pack a reclining chair, a blanket or extra layer, and something to drink. Dress for the forecast, even after a warm day.
- Pick a clear night within the activity period if the nominal peak is cloudy; this is a long-running, low-rate shower.
How to observe it
- Allow about 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust and keep bright phone screens out of view.
- Settle in around the local best time and watch for slow trails among long gaps; keep the whole sky in view.
- Let your gaze rest across the sky rather than chasing every streak; you cannot predict where the next one will appear.
- Watch for as long as you remain comfortable; a longer session gives a fairer impression than a quick glance.