Everyone ready November 10th to admire the “kiss” Moon-Saturn. The event, not very rare but always spectacular, will this time be surrounded by a lot two swarms of shooting starsthe Northern Taurids and the Andromedidsboth peaking just two nights later on November 12th. The show could also be seen to the naked eyebut to better appreciate the Lord of the Rings we always recommend using at least good binoculars.
As the UAI explains, on the evening of November 10th we will be able to observe the Moonjust beyond the First Quarter, which approaches Saturnin the constellation Aquarius. The next day our satellite, after having “overtaken” the planet, will find itself close to the limit with Pisces (in the map the sky of November 10, 2024 at approximately 11.30 pm).
And it doesn’t end here, because shortly afterwards the peak of two showers of shooting starsthe Northern Taurids on the night between 11 and 12 November, and Andromedids in the one between the 13th and the 14th, swarms are already active now.
The Northern Tauridsin particular, the northern component of the Taurids complex system, originated from the comet Encke and from asteroid debris, and their radiant, or the peak from which they appear to start, will be observable throughout the night already from the end of evening twilight, culminating around midnight at almost 70° altitude on the peak night and in the preceding and subsequent ones.
As for the Andromedidsinstead, are part of what remains of the comet’s disintegration 1741 Biela which broke in two in 1852. Also in their case the radiant will be observable throughout the nightreaching the greatest height of around 80° around 11pm (even if less favorable for observation).
So let’s not lose this beautiful show (and let’s prepare many wishes!).
Sources: UAI / UAI meteors
