November will record at least two meteor showers: the Taurids to start the month and the Leonids to say goodbye. The first astronomical phenomenon is already visible in clear skies, with a rate of dozens of meteors per hour. At WIRED en Español we tell you how to witness it in the best way.
A meteor shower is an astronomical event in which debris from a frozen space object comes into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere. The fragments volatilize due to friction from passing through the planet’s atmospheric layer. As a result, an observer can see dozens or hundreds of illuminated tailed objects, which look like falling stars. In the case of the waste produced by the Taurids, these belong to Comet Encke.
When and how to see the Taurids
All meteor showers have their origin in the celestial vault. This point, known as the radiant, is a small ring from which all the fragments “fall.” The radiant of the Taurids is close to the constellation of Taurus, and that is why they were named that way. Technically, there are two types of Taurids: those of the South and those of the North. However, for practical purposes, they are considered a single meteor shower covering the first weeks of November.
The best time to observe the Southern Taurids is November 5, while for the Northern Taurids it is November 12. According to the portal Earthskythe peaks of both showers will reach a maximum of 10 meteors per hour. It is a small amount compared to other meteor showers that can present up to 50 meteors per hour. For this reason, it is not advisable to wait until November 5th or 12th to admire them. You just have to pay attention to the clear sky during that range of days to enjoy the spectacle.
The Taurids are slow but bright and coincide with the low luminosity lunar phase. If a viewer moves to high places free of light pollution, they will be able to observe them with relative ease, without needing to recognize the radiant or the constellation of Taurus.
No complex recommendations are required to admire a meteor shower. In this type of astronomical spectacle, it is preferable to forget about telescopes and binoculars. NASA suggests a trip out of town and recommends that viewers wait up to 45 minutes in the viewing area for their eyes to adjust to the darkness. A good jacket and rain gear are also essential.
How to photograph a meteor shower?
Although seeing a meteor shower is easy, photographing the phenomenon takes time and experience. In that case, the United States space agency indicates that it is necessary to use a tripod, a semi-professional or professional camera, a wide-angle lens, a shutter release cable, extend the exposure time and implement manual focus towards the sky. Photographers should always consider the radiant point to place the tripod and camera. If the origin is taken into account, then it is possible to “predict” the direction of the meteors throughout the night.
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