Taurid Meteor Shower: Madrid to Rome to Sofia to Enjoy Best Viewing Conditions in Europe

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

November 8,2015; 10:40PM,EST

 

 

The southern half of Europe will have the best viewing conditions for the Taurid meteor shower, which is notorious for producing fireballs, early this week.
The Taurid meteor shower has been underway since late October, but is currently in its gradual peak through Nov. 12, stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.
"There could be an absolute peak on the night of Nov. 11-12," said Samuhel.

"In a given year, this shower typically produces just five to 10 meteors per hour," continued Samuhel, "but there are notable swarm years, when this shower really impresses, and 2015 is one of those years."
"Fireballs are common with the Taurids," added Samuhel, "and there are already reports of unusually bright meteors (fireballs) streaming in from all over the world in the past week."
The Taurid meteor shower results when Earth passes through the debris stream left by Comet Encke. Samuhel states that since this debris is larger than typical meteor particles, the stage is set for fireballs to streak through the sky.
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"Fireballs are just bright meteors, as bright or brighter than the planet Venus," he said.
Thanks to a large dome of high pressure, skygazers across southern Europe hoping to catch a glimpse of the cosmic fireballs will have no issues due to the weather.
"After parades of storms with torrential rains, the high will hold over the Balkans, Italy and even as far west as Spain and Portugal," stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Spamer.
Samuhel added that the moon, which is approaching new moon phase, will further aid in ensuring skygazers have the best opportunity to view the Taurids.
"Viewing conditions will also be great over the next several nights with the lack of a bright moon," he said. "The moon now rises well after midnight."
Clear skies will prevail in Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Sofia and Athens Sunday night. Only light fall jackets will be needed with temperatures near to above normal.
Farther north, a pair of storms will create less than ideal conditions for those hoping to see a fireball.
Storm systems will make it hard for those from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and from northern France to the Baltic states to view the Taurids. Clouds will also spill into Ukraine. Any breaks in the clouds will be brief.
Across central Europe, clouds and patchy fog will occasionally obscure the view. However, there should be enough clear patches to give residents a decent opportunity to catch a glimpse of a cosmic fireball.

Monday night into Tuesday, clear skies will lead to favorable viewing conditions again across southern Europe from Madrid to Rome and Athens. Clouds and some clear patches will be found across central Europe so there will be opportunities to view the Taurus from Paris to Vienna.
Mostly cloudy conditions will again prevail across northern Europe with poor viewing conditions from the United Kingdom through northern Germany and Poland.
Content contributed by AccuWeather Meteorologists Rob Richards and Steve Travis.