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Hey, Ferndale: Taurid Meteor Shower Peaks Nov. 12

Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December.

As you hang holiday lights and light the candles, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well. 

A thin crescent moon in 2012 has provided for dark nights and early morning light to enhance this year's North Taurid meteor shower display, which is expected to peak just after midnight on Monday, Nov. 12, according to EarthSky.org.

Space.com reports the best time to see the Taurid meteors, or, "Halloween fireballs," started Nov. 5 and peaks on Monday, as the moon diminishes in brightness each night. Ten to 15 yellow-orange meteors may appear per hour each night and appear to move very slowly, according to Space.com.

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Astronomers anticipate two more meteor showers this November and December:

Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • After years of heavier-than-average showers, the famous Leonids have returned and are expected to peak on Nov. 17 in the pre-dawn hours. These meteors are fast (about 40 miles per second) and can leave trails of smoke, according to Astronomy.com. They will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo the Lion. "Many Leonids are also bright. Usually, the meteors are white or bluish-white, but in recent years some observers reported yellow-pink and copper-colored ones," according to the website

Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower

  • The last shooting star cluster before New Year's is the Geminid Meteor Shower, expected to peak in the pre-dawn hours after midnight between Dec. 13 and Dec. 15. They will be visible in all parts of the sky and streak through the sky at more than 50 meteors per hour, almost a meteor a minute, according to EarthSky.com. The new moon is expected to fall on Dec. 13, making for optimal dark skies – as long as you avoid city lights and clouds, the website states.  

Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up, lay out some blankets and enjoy the light show in the sky. 

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