What is happening in 2025 with the Taurid meteor showers?
The Taurid meteor showers, formed from debris shed by the wandering comet 2P/Encke, are returning in 2025 as two separate streams sweep through Earth’s vicinity: the Northern Taurids and the Southern Taurids. Both streams originate in the constellation Taurus and are capable of producing bright fireballs when Earth plows through their dispersed debris clouds. This year’s activity promises several opportunities for stargazers to witness spectacular sights in the night sky, especially in the hours after sunset and before dawn.
Northern Taurids: timing and expectations
The Northern Taurids begin their activity around October 20 and are forecast to peak on the nights of November 11–12. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, observers could glimpse as many as a few meteors per hour out of a broad, weathered stream. The most notable feature of the Northern Taurids, however, isn’t just the number of meteors but the potential for unusually bright fireballs that can outshine much of the sky. These fireballs occur when relatively large fragments enter Earth’s atmosphere, producing dazzling trails that can linger for seconds and illuminate the landscape below.
Southern Taurids: timing and expectations
The Southern Taurids have already begun their display, with activity dating back to September 20. Their peak is expected during the night of November 4–5. Like the Northern Taurids, this stream can yield a handful of meteors per hour under dark skies. The Southern Taurids are especially known for producing brighter, slower-moving fireballs. They often leave persistent trails and can be visible even when the Moon is present, though a bright Moon can wash out the dimmer members of the shower.
A common origin and why fireballs happen
Both Taurid streams share a parent in comet 2P/Encke, whose broad debris cloud spreads along a looping orbit around the Sun. When Earth intersects this debris, tiny dust and rock particles heat up to incandescent temperatures in Earth’s atmosphere. The result is the familiar streaks of light we know as meteors, with the occasional fireball turning night into day as a larger fragment burns up high above us.
What to expect in 2025: skywatch tips
For observers hoping to maximize their chances of catching Taurid fireballs, a few practical tips help:
- Choose dark, rural locations far from city lights. The better the transparency and darker the sky, the more meteors you’ll see.
- Plan around local weather and moon phases. A bright Moon will wash out dimmer meteors, so the peak windows around the Moon’s absence or its last quarter are preferable.
- Face away from the Moon and look toward Taurus rising in the eastern sky in the hours before midnight in October and into November.
- Be patient. The Taurids aren’t as dense as some meteor showers, but the potential for dramatic fireballs remains high during peak nights.
Tips for photographing Taurid fireballs
Astrophotographers can capture these events with a few gear and technique choices. Use a wide-angle lens, a sturdy tripod, and a camera capable of long exposures. Start with 20–30 second exposures at ISO settings that balance sensitivity and noise. A remote shutter or intervalometer helps avoid camera shake. Because fireballs can flash briefly, keeping a few test frames and adjusting exposure as the night evolves will improve your chances of a sharp, dramatic capture. If you want to document the broader meteor shower, shoot continuous sequences to stitch together a composite of multiple fireballs across the night sky.
Bottom line for 2025
The combination of the Northern and Southern Taurid streams creates a two-stage opportunity for meteor enthusiasts in late October through early November. While the number of visible meteors might be modest, the prospect of rare, brilliant fireballs makes this a compelling season for skywatchers who are prepared and patient. If you’re curious to learn more about other meteor events or want to sharpen your meteor photography, our guides on the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography and tips for imaging fast-moving meteors are excellent resources.
