Find out why this might be the best chance to see him in seven years.
Stargazers will have several reasons to gaze skyward this fall in Metro Vancouver.
As the final days of the Perseid meteor shower waned toward the end of August, the first two weeks of September did not provide any shooting star viewing opportunities in the Lower Mainland.
But keen sky watchers will begin to see astral activity in the region when another meteor shower begins in late September. The Orionids meteor shower is scheduled to begin on September 26 and last until November 22.
Moderate rain will peak from October 20 to October 21, when the moon is 21 percent full. The American Meteorological Society (AMS) notes that the shower can sometimes reach “high activity,” putting it on par with the aforementioned Perseid meteor shower (one of the brightest showers of the year). On average, the Orionids produce approximately 10 to 20 shooting stars, but in exceptional years they can produce as many as 50 to 75 per hour.
The South Tauridis meteor shower will begin just a few days after the Orionids, on September 28th, and continue for the next month, ending on December 2nd. However, it can only be seen from the southern hemisphere.
The third meteor shower, the Northern Taurids, will also begin during this period, with activity beginning as early as October 13th and continuing until approximately December 2nd. This is the rain that people in Metro Vancouver will be able to watch locally.
In a previous interview, Jennifer McDonald, an astronomer at the HR MacMillan Space Center, told Vancouver Is Awesome that although stream meteors have a slower rate (about five of them appear every hour), they are made of “heavier material,” which “increases the possibility of fireballs a bit.”
This could also be a big year for the Northern Taurides. The AMS notes that “there appears to be a seven-year periodicity with these fireballs. Both 2008 and 2015 produced notable fireball activity. 2022 may be the next opportunity.”
Unfortunately, the moon will be about 88 percent full at the peak of the shower, which could make viewing difficult.
What is a fireball?
The American Meteorological Society described the fireball as a “very bright meteor” that is about the same brightness as “the planet Venus in the morning or evening sky.” Additionally, some people report seeing bright colors because the brightness is “great enough to fall well within the range of human color vision.” Some of them even report hearing “sonic booms and electrophonic sounds,” though very rarely.
To see the Taurid Stream, sky watchers should look for the constellation Taurus, McDonald said. “Look for Orion’s Belt and then go northeast and look for the bright red star, Aldebaran.”
The Orionids shower is visible everywhere on Earth and is considered a “moderate shower”. Space.com notes that “If you find the shape of Orion the Hunter, the meteor shower radiant (or point of origin) will be near the sword of Orion, just north of its left shoulder (the star Betelgeuse).” However, the meteors , originating in the radiant of the flux, will have shorter tails, and so it is best to look slightly away from it.
Tips for hunting the 2022 fall meteor shower in Metro Vancouver
To fully enjoy the spectacle, here are some meteor hunting tips:
- If possible, move away from city lights, which make it difficult to see the fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, go 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). White light is very blinding and can affect your night vision.
- Dress warmly. It’s still a good idea to wear warm (even winter) clothes.
- Sit and relax in a reclining chair or lie on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to stargaze lying down, but you’ll also see more that way.
- Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee – it will come in handy if you start to drift off or get a little cold!
- Be patient. It may take some time before you see your first shooting star. Don’t rush to give up… It’s worth the wait!
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