Stargazers will have a few reasons to cast their eyes skyward this fall in Metro Vancouver. As the last days of the Perseid meteor shower fell towards the end of August, the first two weeks of September did not provide any opportunity to see shooting stars in the Lower Mainland. But keen skywatchers will begin to see stellar activity in the area as another meteor shower begins in late September. The Orionid meteor shower is scheduled to begin on September 26 and continue through 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-intensity activity,” putting it on par with the aforementioned Perseid meteor shower (one of the brightest showers of the year). On average, the Orionids produce about 10 to 20 shooting stars, but in exceptional years they can produce as many as 50 to 75 per hour. The Southern Taurida 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 is only visible from the southern hemisphere. A third meteor shower, the Northern Taurides, will also begin during this period, with activity occurring as early as October 13th and continuing until around December 2nd. This is the rain Metro Vancouver residents will be able to see locally. In a previous interview, Jennifer MacDonald, an astronomer at the HR MacMillan Space Center, told Vancouver Is Awesome that although the shower meteors are slower (about five of them appear every hour), they are made of a “heavier stuff.” which “increases the chance of fireballs a bit.” This could also be a big year for Northern Taurids. AMS notes that “there appears to be a seven-year periodicity with these fireballs. 2008 and 2015 both produced notable fireball activity. 2022 may be the next opportunity.” Unfortunately, the moon will be about 88 percent full at the top of the shower, which could make viewing more difficult.
What is a fireball?
The American Meteorological Society describes a 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 vivid colors because the brightness is “high enough to fall within the range of human color vision.” Some of them even report hearing “sonic booms and electrophonic sounds”, though very rarely. In order to see the Taurid shower, sky watchers should look for the constellation Taurus, MacDonald said. “Look for Orion’s belt, then go northeast and look for the bright red star, Aldebaran.” The Orionid shower is visible anywhere on Earth and is considered a “moderate shower”. Space.com notes that “If you find the shape of Orion the hunter, the radiation (or point of origin) of the meteor shower will be near Orion’s sword, just north of its left shoulder (the star Betelgeuse). This that said, meteors coming from the shower radiation will have shorter tails and so it’s best to look slightly away from it.
2022 Fall Meteor Shower Hunting Tips in Metro Vancouver
To fully enjoy the spectacle, here are some meteor hunting tips:
If possible, move away from city lights, which make it harder to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, start by looking for dark skies outdoors. If you need to use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will bind). White light is very blinding and can affect your night vision. Dress warmly. It’s still a good idea to bring warm (even winter) clothes. Sit back 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’ll come in handy if you start to drift off or get a little cold! Be patient. It may take a while before you see your first shooting star. Don’t rush to give up… It’s worth the wait!
