Taurid Alert!

[PlasticSpanner]

Copy of an e-mail alert sent to me.



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The SOCIETY for POPULAR ASTRONOMY
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Special Electronic News Bulletin 2005 November 5
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TAURID 'SWARM' RECURRENCE UNDERWAY?
By Alastair McBeath, SPA Meteor Section Director

Reports of fireballs (meteors of magnitude -3 or brighter) have been
coming through to the Section from virtually every night since October
26-27, both from the UK and USA. The reports on many have not been
detailed enough to establish probable origins as yet, but two, and perhaps
a third, look likely to have been Taurids. If most of the others were too,
then it would seem probable we are indeed encountering the Taurid
'swarm' again at present, as discussed in ENB 184.

Anyone who has seen any fireballs in recent days, is invited to submit a
full report as soon as possible. October 30-31 and November 2-3 look
to have produced perhaps several fireballs each, while early news has
been coming through of an event widely-seen from sites between London
and Newcastle-upon-Tyne on November 3-4, around 20:40-20:50 UT.
One detailed observation so far strongly suggests this meteor was a
Taurid, but further complete sightings are needed for confirmation.

For advice on what data to send, please see the Fireball Observing
webpage, at: http://popastro.c.topica.com/maaebmyablPjccje197b/

If we are in the midst of a Taurid 'swarm' passage, it is possible more
fireballs may yet be to come from this source, perhaps through until mid-
November, judging by some past probable return years. It would be
definitely worth keeping an eye out on any clear night during that time,
just in case, whether you are out to observe meteors, or anything else,
over the next week or so.

 

[Meysha]

What's a Taurid?

 

[PlasticSpanner]

Maybe I should have included this in the original post!

From the first result returned on the search "Taurid"

"The Taurid meteor shower occurs every year, when the Earth passes through the Taurid meteoroid complex, a huge stream of material orbiting in interplanetary space. There is a theory of a `resonant meteoroid swarm' within the Taurid Complex. Briefly, it predicts that in specific years, the Earth is hit by a greater number (than in average years) of meteoroids capable of producing Taurid fireballs."

 

[JonMikal]

i saw a 'falling star' the other night. does that count? it was pretty neat actually...i haven't seen stars in so long.

 

[PlasticSpanner]

I saw a fireball once (at least I think it was a fireball)

Only managed to get a sketch of it and it's position though. It was quite spectacular as it broke up into 3 fragments and left a very bright, white trail across the sky that lasted for 2-3 seconds!