The Night Sky In Idaho Will Light Up With Four Different Meteor Showers This November
Keep your head up this month – literally! Idaho’s night skies will be graced with four different meteor showers this November: the Orionids, the Southern Taurids, the Northern Taurids, and the Leonids. This means you’re bound to spot a meteor or two on almost any given night. After all, Idaho’s famously dark skies are one of the best places in the country for viewing meteors. Here’s what you need to know:
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Meteors blazing across the pitch black sky will be a common scene this month in Idaho, thanks to the four different meteor showers that will be making an appearance throughout November.
One of the meteor showers, the Orionids shower, is currently on its way out. You'll want to get out there ASAP if you'd like to see them. Although they aren't the strongest shower of the year, they are the most prolific shower associated with the famous Halley's Comet.
The Orionids fly every year between October 2 and November 7, typically peaking in late October. Seeing them this late in their earthly flight will be tricky, but not impossible. In a particularly dark location like Idaho, you can see several Orionids per hour.
However, we're just gearing up for a month-long meteor extravaganza. The Southern Taurids are a multi-month shower that began appearing in September and is expected to stick around until November 20, 2020. The Southern Taurids already experienced their peak on October 29, but the Northern Taurids will be peaking very soon.
Just like the Southern Taurids, the Northern Taurids are a long-lasting shower that persists for several months. They started appearing on October 20 and will be here until December 10, 2020. Early November is a great time to seek out the Taurids, since this is when both Taurid showers are active. The Northern Taurids will peak on November 11, 2020.
Finally, the Leonids will be here all month long, starting on November 6 and extending to November 30, 2020. The Leonids are a notably bright shower that have become famous for its outburst of "meteor storms." These storms only happen every 33 years or so, and this year is an off-year. However, you'll still be able to enjoy some visible meteors, especially near the shower's November 16 peak.
It's a busy month for astronomy lovers! With meteors shooting across the sky all month-long, you'll want to be sure to get out there and see some of them with your own eyes.
Are you excited for November’s meteor showers? We definitely love living in a state where the night skies are actually pristine. Share your thoughts and night sky observation tips with us in the comments below!
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