Southern Taurids (STA)

Northern Taurids (NTA)

These two streams form part of the complex associated with Comet 2P/Encke. Defining their radiants is best achieved by careful visual or telescopic plotting, or imaging recordings, since they are large and diffuse. Each radiant should be considered an oval area of ~ 20° by 10°, α by δ, centred on the radiant position for that date, for shower association. Their activity very clearly dominates the Antihelion Source area's during the northern autumn, so much so that the ANT is considered inactive while they are present.

The brightness and relative slowness of many shower meteors makes them ideal targets for still-imaging, while these factors coupled with low, steady, combined Taurid rates makes them excellent subjects for newcomers to practice their plotting techniques on. The activity of both showers produces an apparently plateau-like maximum for about ten days in early November, and they have a reputation for producing some excellently bright fireballs at times, although seemingly not in every year.

Studies by David Asher have indicated that increased Taurid fireball rates may result from a 'swarm' of larger particles within the Taurid stream complex, and he suggested such 'swarm' returns might happen in 1995, 1998 and 2005 most recently. In 1995, an impressive crop of bright Taurids occurred between late October to mid November, while in 1998, Taurid ZHRs reached levels comparable to the usual maximum rates in late October, together with an increased flux of brighter Taurids generally. The 2005 event was the most impressive and best-observed yet, with a lot of, occasionally very brilliant, fireballs, and enhanced combined ZHRs of ~ 10 — 15, that persisted from about October 29 to November 10. Another 'swarm' return is predicted for 2008, while late October into early November has a new to first quarter Moon, so all observers should be alert to cover whatever happens (but do remember that nothing is ever guaranteed in meteor astronomy!).

The Southern Taurid maximum will have relatively little lunar interference, but the Northern peak falls just a day before full Moon, so will likely be missed this time. The near-ecliptic radiants for both shower branches mean all meteoricists can observe these streams, albeit northern hemisphere observers are somewhat better-placed, as here suitable radiant zenith distances persist for much of the night. Even in the southern hemisphere, a good 3 — 5 hours' watching around local midnight is possible with Taurus well above the horizon, however.

Source :IMO.Net