Major upcoming meteor showers that you don't want to miss; here's when to spot them

If there is a time to spend beneath the night sky, it is the months of November and December as the universe will be treating people with several meteor showers that will light up the sky. Before 2021 meets its end, stargazers will get to witness four major meteor showers namely- the Taurids, Leonids, Geminids and Ursids in the forthcoming months. Let's take a look at the celestial calendar to make sure you don't miss them.

Taurids meteor shower (November 4-5)

Avid stargazers will not have to wait long for this one as the Taurids meteors will blaze through the night sky on the night of November 4 and possibly in the early hours of November 5. At its peak, the shower will present up to 5-10 meteors every hour although it depends on the surrounding on is in. There's a condition that the location selected for tracking the meteors must be free from light pollution and considering this, the festival of Diwali might make it hard to spot the Taurids in most parts of India.

Leonids meteor shower (November 17-18)

Space enthusiasts might want to keep looking up as there is another shower coming their way. The Leonids meteor shower is predicted to peak in the night of November 17 and the early hours of November 18 when up to 15 meteors per hour can be spotted. Again, those looking forward to the event must look for dark locations where unnecessary light won't diminish the meteor glow. 

Geminids meteor shower (December 13-14)

The Geminids meteor shower will be the first in December and the second last of 2021. It is predicted that onlookers can spot the most number of meteors in this shower that will illuminate the sky in multiple colours. With no festivals around, try looking for a pollution-free location to get the best experience. 

Ursids Meteor Shower (December 21-22) 

This year will meet its end with the Ursids meteor shower that is expected to peak on the night of December 21 and the morning of December 22. Although this will be a minor shower producing 5-10 meteors per hour, it would still be a perfect way for astronomy geeks to end 2021. 

Image: Unsplash