The Northern Taurids
Next peak: . The Moon will be 11% lit (waxing crescent), a good year for this shower.
- Active
- 10/20 to 12/10 (month/day)
- Peak rate (ZHR)
- 5 per hour
- Radiant
- RA 58°, Dec +22°
- Speed
- 29 km/s (medium)
- Peak solar longitude
- 230°
- Parent body
- comet 2P/Encke
About the Northern Taurids
The northern branch of the Taurid stream, peaking about a week after its southern sibling. Low rates, slow meteors and the occasional fireball make it a pleasant background shower for November nights.
When and where to look. Around midnight, radiant high in Taurus, from either hemisphere.
Best viewing on the peak night
| City | Night of | Best time (local) | Radiant height | Rough rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | Thu 12 Nov | 60° | up to ~4/h | |
| New York | Thu 12 Nov | 71° | up to ~5/h | |
| Los Angeles | Wed 11 Nov | 78° | up to ~5/h | |
| Singapore | Thu 12 Nov | 69° | up to ~5/h | |
| Sydney | Thu 12 Nov | 34° | up to ~3/h | |
| Cape Town | Thu 12 Nov | 34° | up to ~3/h |
Rough rate = ZHR × sine of the radiant altitude, at the darkest hour with the radiant highest. Light pollution and moonlight reduce it further.
Peak dates by year
| Year | Peak (UTC) | Moon |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47% | |
| 2026 | 11% | |
| 2027 | 98% | |
| 2028 | 24% |
Computed as the moment the Sun reaches ecliptic longitude 230° (equinox J2000), the peak position in the IMO working list.
