Northern Taurids
Slow, long-lasting meteor shower from asteroid 2004 TG10.
The Northern Taurids are an annual meteor shower, one of two components of the Taurid meteor complex. They are named after their radiant point in the constellation Taurus and are notable for their slow impact speed, extended activity period, and association with the asteroid 2004 TG10, possibly a large fragment of Comet Encke. Because of their occurrence in late October and early November, they are also called Halloween fireballs.
Quick Facts
- Parent
- 2P/Encke
- Constellation
- Taurus
- Ra
- 03 · 35
- Dec
- +14.4
- Month
- Sep 23 – Dec 8
- Peak
- Nov 5
- Velocity
- 27.7
- Zhr
- 5
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Northern Taurids originated from the asteroid 2004 TG10, which may be a large fragment of Comet Encke due to its similar orbital parameters. The Taurid stream is the largest in the inner Solar System, spread out in space so that Earth takes several weeks to pass through it, causing an extended period of meteor activity. Due to gravitational perturbations of planets, especially Jupiter, the Taurids have spread over time, allowing separate Northern and Southern segments to become observable. The Northern Taurids are active from about October 13 to December 2, representing one cross section of a single, broad, continuous stream. The stream is made up of weightier material—pebbles as opposed to dust grains—and if larger than a pebble, these meteors may become bolides as bright as the Moon and leave behind smoke trails.
Reader's Guide
The Northern Taurids are significant as part of the Taurid meteor complex, which is believed to be remnants of a disrupted 40-km-class comet from about 10,000 years ago. The stream has a cycle of activity that peaks roughly every 2,500 to 3,000 years, when the core passes nearer to Earth, with the next peak expected around 3000 AD. The Northern Taurids also have more frequent peaks from heavier concentrations of material encountered during some passes. Fireballs associated with the Taurids have been recorded, including an absolute magnitude –17 bolide over Poland in 1995 estimated at 900 kg. Around Halloween in 2005, many fireballs were witnessed, leading astronomers to call them 'Halloween fireballs.' A 2021 study catalogued 88 probable members of the swarm, showing that many exhibit cometary activity. The Taurid stream also includes daytime showers (Beta Taurids and Zeta Perseids) active from May to July, which cannot be observed visually. Astronomers Duncan Steel and Bill Napier suggest the Beta Taurids could be the cause of the Tunguska event of June 30, 1908.
Did You Know?
- The Taurid stream is the largest meteoroid stream in the inner Solar System.
- A brief flash from a lunar impact on November 7, 2005, was likely part of the Taurid meteor shower.
More in Meteor Showers 1-24
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