How to see the peaks of two dazzling meteor showers from Metro Vancouver

Stargazers, rejoice!

November is a good month to bow your head to the sky – provided it’s not raining cats and dogs.

Not only will skygazers from Vancouver this month have the opportunity to see the peaks of two meteor showers, they can also watch a full lunar eclipse and the end of a third meteor shower.

The Orionid meteor shower began on September 26th and will continue until November 22nd. The moderate shower peaked on October 20-21, producing around 10-20 shooting stars. In exceptional years they can produce up to 50 to 75 per hour.

The Northern Taurid meteor shower begins as early as October 13th and lasts until around December 2nd. It will peak around November 12-13.

In a previous interview, Jennifer MacDonald, an astronomer at HR MacMillan Space Center said Vancouver is great that although the shower’s meteors are slower (about five of them appear every hour), they are made of a “heavier material,” which “slightly increases the likelihood of fireballs.”

This could also be a big year for the Northern Taurids. The AMS notes that “there appears to be a seven-year periodicity in these fireballs. 2008 and 2015 both produced notable fireball activity. 2022 could be the next opportunity.”

Unfortunately, at the peak of the shower, the moon will be about 88 percent full, which could make observation difficult.

What is a fireball?

The American Meteorological Society describes a fireball as a “very bright meteor” about as bright as “planet Venus in the morning or evening sky.” Additionally, some people report seeing vivid colors because the brightness is “high enough to fall well within the range of human color vision.” Some of them even report hearing “sonic booms and electrophonic noises”, albeit very rarely.

To see the Taurid Shower, skygazers should look for the constellation of Taurus, MacDonald said. “Look for Orion’s Belt, then head northeast and look for the bright red star Aldebaran.”

The Orionid Shower is visible from all over Earth and is considered a “moderate shower.” Space.com notes, “If you find the form of Orion the Hunter, the radiant (or point of origin) of the meteor shower will be near Orion’s sword, just north of his left shoulder (the star Betelgeuse).” However, have the meteors that form in the shower’s radian have shorter tails and so it’s best to look away from them.

Leonid Meteor Shower in the Vancouver sky

After the total lunar eclipse and the peak of the Northern Taurids, Vancouver residents have a chance to witness the finale of another meteor shower in the city: the Leonids.

The Leonids meteor shower begins on November 3rd and lasts until December 2nd and is known for producing five “meteor storms” in the past 200 years. While none of these are forecast for 2022, there can be “good displays” of up to 100 shooting stars per hour, according to the American Meteorological Society.

The Leonids are also known for producing “bright meteors with a high percentage of sustained puffs.”

You can experience the peak of the shower on November 17-18.

Hunting tips for the fall 2022 meteor shower in Metro Vancouver

In order to be able to enjoy the spectacle to the fullest, here are a few tips for meteorite hunting:

• If possible, stay away from the city lights, which make it difficult to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, head out in search of dark skies in the countryside.
• If you must use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will do for tying). White light is very glaring and can affect your night vision.
• Dress warmly. It’s still a good idea to bring warm (even winter) clothes.
• Sit back and relax on a lounge chair or lie down on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to watch the stars while lying down, you also see more.
• Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee – this comes in handy when you’re falling asleep or feeling a little cold!
• Be patient. It may be a while before you see your first shooting star. Don’t give up so easily… It’s worth the wait!

Find out how to see the rare total lunar eclipse “Beaver Moon”.