Will Comet 2/P Encke ‘trick’ or ‘treat’ observers this year?
is no exception. This year provides a special reason to be vigilant, as the source of the infamous November Taurid Fireballs Comet 2P Encke reaches perihelion for 2023 on October 22Unfortunately, Encke’s 2023 apparition isn’t a favorable one for Earthbound observers. Currently low in the dawn, the comet is only four degrees from the Sun when it reaches perihelion on the farside of its orbit, nearly opposite to the Earth.Encke held the title of the comet with shortest orbital period at 3.
The radiants for the Northern and Southern Taurids, looking to the east post dusk. Credit: Stellarium. The Taurids seem to have a seven year peak periodicity, equaling once every other orbit for the comet. The Taurids last put on a show in. Could 2023 be another such year? Keep in mind, most meteors are just dust grains, and the fireballs you see are actually no more than pea-sized pellets from Comet Encke.A few other showers are afoot this season. First, the October Orionids peak this coming weekend, with an expected Zenthinal Hourly Rate of 20 capping out on the morning of Sunday, October 22.
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