Emily Flores
The night sky is about to put on a show, and you don’t need special gear or an astronomy degree to enjoy it. Two meteor showers are reaching their peak this week, giving you a chance to watch bright streaks zip across the darkness with a kind of drama you feel more than see. The air cools in a way that makes the night feel quieter than usual, and the sky starts to draw more of your attention. Stick around, because these fireballs arrive fast—and you’ll want to know when to head outside and how to catch the best view.
Northern Taurids Bring The Fireballs
The Northern Taurids always run from late October through the first week of December, but the peak lands this week. According to the American Meteor Society, the strongest activity arrives tonight and Wednesday night. This shower is famous for fireballs—larger, brighter streaks created when slightly bigger pieces of debris hit the atmosphere at high speed. Those flashes can linger for a moment, giving you a chance to track their path across the sky.
Because the Taurids move more slowly than many other showers, their fireballs stand out even more. The pace helps the streaks hold shape as they burn at roughly 17 miles overhead. You won’t see dozens per hour, but the ones that appear tend to pop with extra brightness. That’s why many skywatchers keep the Taurids on their yearly must-see list. Moving from their glow to your viewing plan, the best chance to spot them comes after midnight, once the radiant rises higher and the sky settles into a darker backdrop.
Leonids Follow Close Behind
The Leonids stay active through most of November and hit their peak on November 16 and 17. They tend to produce fast, sharp streaks thanks to debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle. These meteors slice through the atmosphere at some of the highest speeds of the season, which gives them a crisp, needle-thin look compared with the broader flares of the Taurids. The contrast between the two showers makes watching both worthwhile.
As the Leonids ramp up, you may notice shorter bursts that zip by before you fully register them. Their speed helps them stand out, especially if you’re watching from a darker spot with a wide field of view. Connecting that to your timing, the Leonids also shine brightest in the early-morning hours, once the radiant climbs above the horizon and the sky takes on its deepest shade.
Tips To Maximize The Show
Here are quick ways to sharpen your viewing experience:
- Step away from porch lights or streetlights so your eyes can settle into the darker sky.
- Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust, since the faint streaks only show up once your vision fully adapts.
- Use a reclining chair or blanket to stay comfortable, because the best views come when you can look up without straining your neck.
- Keep your phone dim or out of reach; even a quick glance at the screen can wipe out your night vision for several minutes.
- Bring a warm drink or an extra layer so you can stay outside longer, which increases your odds of catching the brighter fireballs and the quick Leonid flashes.
A Final Nudge
Two sky shows in one week don’t happen every month, so give yourself the chance to enjoy them. A few minutes outside may turn into an hour of surprise flashes and bursts of color overhead. Look up, settle in, and let the night do the rest.