Northern Taurids Meteor Shower: Observation Timings and Tips
Northern Taurids Visibility Timetable on December 16
Northern Taurids Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Moon Rise, 18% illuminated | 01:22 | 50° |
| Moon Set | 11:50 | -23° |
| Northern Taurids radiant rise | 14:48 | |
| Sunset | 14:49 | 0° |
| Civil sunset | 15:20 | 5° |
| Astrosession begin | 16:24 | 17° |
| Northern Taurids radiant transit | 22:16 | 79° |
| Astrosession end | 03:41 | 22° |
| Civil sunrise | 04:46 | 10° |
| Sunrise | 05:17 | 5° |
| Northern Taurids radiant set | 05:44 |
Track Northern Taurids Position Throughout the Night
← Tue, 16 December 2025 →
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| Altitude | |
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Moon Dynamics for Northern Taurids Meteor Shower in 2025
The visibility of a meteor shower depends on the Moon's position and brightness. This chart provides a detailed view of the moon dynamics for this specific meteor shower, helping you determine the best times to observe.
The blue and white areas represent night and day, while the reddish area highlights when the radiant is above the horizon. A white line marks the radiant's transit time, and the grey area shows when the Moon is above the horizon. While many focus on the meteor shower's peak date, it is often preferable to choose a time with dark skies rather than one where the Moon's brightness interferes with visibility. Click on the chart to view detailed Sun and Moon events for a specific date in the table above, ensuring you have all the information needed for a perfect stargazing experience.
Discover the Northern Taurids Meteor Shower, including:
Radiant Position:
- Right Ascension: 05h 49m 36s"
- Declination: 26° 24' 00s
Peak Activity: This meteor shower is active from December 10 to December 22, with peak activity typically occurring around December 16, when the shower’s rate of meteors per hour is at its highest.
Associated Parent Comet: The Northern Taurids originates from debris left by 2P/Encke. The comet's debris intersects Earth's orbit, creating the meteor shower.
Northern Taurids Observation History
This section provides a record of previous meteor shower activity, including the start, end, and peak dates. While meteor showers are often associated with traditional dates, it's important to note that these dates may vary slightly each year due to solar and atmospheric conditions.
This table serves as a helpful reference, and observers should be aware that the exact dates may shift. Be sure to check updated forecasts closer to the event to determine the best time to observe the shower, as these dates can differ from year to year.
| Year | Start Date | Peak Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-mm-dd | - | November 08 | - |
| 1970-mm-dd | - | October 26 | - |
| 2003-mm-dd | - | October 27 | - |
| 2003-mm-dd | - | November 05 | - |
| 2008-mm-dd | October 20 | November 06 | November 16 |
| 2009-mm-dd | October 16 | November 16 | December 09 |
| 2010-mm-dd | October 30 | November 01 | November 23 |
| 2015-08-23 | September 24 | November 02 | November 02 |
| 2022-11-16 | October 13 | November 01 | November 07 |
| 2022-11-16 | November 07 | November 18 | December 09 |
| 2022-11-16 | December 10 | December 15 | December 21 |
Use this historical data as a guideline for when meteor showers typically occur, but remember that the exact timing may vary slightly each year.
Data Credits
We would like to express our gratitude to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Meteor Center for providing valuable meteor data.
Special thanks to all the astronomers, researchers, and enthusiasts whose work contributes to the understanding and observation of meteor showers.