Southern Taurid Meteor Shower Has Begun
The annual celestial event has officially commenced, with peak activity expected through early November.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Space
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The Southern Taurid meteor shower has begun, bringing a stream of debris from Comet 2P/Encke into Earth's atmosphere. The event is visible from both hemispheres through late November.
Why it matters
Meteor showers offer scientists insights into the composition of solar system debris, while providing amateur astronomers the chance to observe fireballs. The Southern Taurids are known for producing occasional bright, slow-moving meteors.
Meteors will strike the atmosphere at 17 miles per second. The radiant point for this shower is located within the constellation Taurus.
The players
Comet 2P/Encke
This is a periodic comet with one of the shortest orbital periods, which serves as the source of the debris trail for the Southern Taurids.
The details
As Earth passes through the trail of rocky debris left by Comet 2P/Encke, fragments enter the atmosphere at high speeds to create streaks of light. The shower will see increased activity in October and a specific peak for fireballs in early November.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: The Southern Taurid meteor shower began.
October 13-14, 2026: Early increase in meteor activity expected.
November 4-5, 2026: Principal peak for fireballs.
November 20, 2026: The meteor shower concludes.
The Big Picture
This shower follows the established naming and classification protocols defined by the International Astronomical Union's meteor data standards for tracking periodic debris-trail events. Continued observation of these particles helps researchers refine models of the solar system's complex orbital architecture.
Observers can look toward the constellation Taurus to spot the meteors, which will be most visible on clear, dark nights. While the peak rates are modest, the occurrence of fireballs may provide a striking visual experience for viewers worldwide.
The takeaway
The Southern Taurids serve as a reminder of the constant interaction between Earth and the remnants of solar system bodies. Viewers should plan to watch on the nights of November 4-5 to catch the highest concentration of fireballs when moonlight interference is low.
Further reading
Learn more about upcoming celestial events in our Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Livescience.
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