2 meteor showers will light up Nevada this November

Discover prime viewing spots and dates for November’s Taurid and Leonid meteor showers in Nevada’s dark sky country.

Where city lights fade into desert darkness, Nevada offers some of the country’s most pristine views of the cosmos. As autumn settles in, the Silver State’s renowned dark skies are preparing to host nature’s own fireworks display, with not one, but two meteor showers gracing our skies in early November. While many Americans need to travel hours to find a spot dark enough to stargaze, Nevadans are uniquely positioned to witness these celestial shows from their own backyard, thanks to the state’s abundance of protected dark sky areas and wide-open spaces. In fact, more than 80% of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies. But here in Nevada, we’re among the fortunate few who can still see the Milky Way stretch across the night sky.

A tale of two showers

Two distinct meteor displays will illuminate Nevada’s vast skies this November, each offering its own celestial personality. Early in the month, the Southern Taurids will peak under nearly perfect conditions, while mid-month brings the swift-moving Leonids—though they’ll face some lunar competition.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Sullivan/Flickr.

Southern Taurids: Nature’s firework display

The Southern Taurids reach their peak on the night of November 4-5, benefiting from a mere 11% full moon that will allow for exceptional dark sky viewing. While this shower isn’t known for quantity—producing only about five meteors per hour—it more than makes up for that in quality. These meteors, moving at a relatively leisurely 17.2 miles per second, are known for producing brilliant fireballs that can light up the entire sky. Both the Southern and Northern Taurids originate from debris left behind by Comet 2P/Encke, with the combined showers active through early December.

Leonids: Speed demons of the sky

The Leonids take center stage on November 17-18, though they’ll have to compete with a 98% full moon this year. These meteors are known for their impressive speed, streaking across the night sky at a blistering 43.5 miles per second. Under ideal conditions, viewers might spot about 15 meteors per hour. While this year’s bright moon will hamper viewing, the Leonids have historically produced some of the most spectacular meteor storms. These meteors originate from debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Sullivan/Flickr.

Prime viewing locations

Nevada’s dark sky destinations offer perfect stages for meteor watching. Tonopah, one of Nevada’s premier stargazing destinations, welcomes visitors to the Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park, where cement pads await your telescope or reclining chair. For an even more dramatic experience, make the journey to Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area in northern Washoe County, certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary and one of the darkest locations in the United States. The accessible Desert Overlook Trail in the Spring Mountains provides another excellent option for those near Las Vegas, offering a paved, half-mile trail with convenient parking.

Tips for successful meteor watching

The best viewing time for both showers is after midnight, when your location on Earth rotates to face our planet’s orbital path. Dress warmly—Nevada nights can be chilly in November—and bring a reclining chair or blanket for comfort during long viewing sessions. Switch off your phone and allow at least 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to the darkness. No telescope or binoculars are needed, since meteors move too quickly for magnified viewing. The broader your view of the sky, the better your chances of catching these celestial streakers.

This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Nevadan staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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