Meteor shower
Taurids
Slow, bright fireballs spread across late autumn.
Next peak Thursday, November 5, 2026
T-00:00:00:00DHMS
Peak rate
~5 meteors/hr at peak
Active
23 Sep – 2 Dec
Radiant
Taurus
Speed
28 km/s
Parent body
Comet 2P/Encke
Moon at peak
Peak-night moon only 14% lit — dark skies favour the shower
About the Taurids
The Taurids never deliver high numbers — only about five an hour — but they punch above their weight for spectacle. Their slow, 28 km/s meteors include a high proportion of brilliant fireballs, earning late October and November a reputation for unexpectedly bright displays.
The stream comes in two overlapping branches, Southern and Northern, both linked to Comet Encke, and stays active for weeks rather than peaking sharply.
How to watch
- Quality over quantity — watch for slow, bright fireballs rather than counting streaks.
- Activity is spread across weeks, so there's no single critical night.