Colorado Skies Host 4 Meteor Showers and a 7% Larger Supermoon in November

Q: Will the Northern Taurids' legendary fireballs outshine Venus enough to be visible even from Colorado's light-polluted urban centers this November?

Yes—but only the brightest Northern Taurid fireballs, and not reliably. The Northern Taurids are famous for occasional slow, bright meteors that can outshine Venus. Multiple astronomy sources describe Taurid fireballs as capable of doing that, and this year’s peak around the night of Nov. 11-12 should have excellent moon conditions because only a thin crescent moon will be present and it will set early. That said, brightness alone does not guarantee easy urban viewing. The shower is weak in numbers, averaging only about five meteors per hour under ideal dark skies, and most of those will be far fainter than the rare headline-making fireballs. In Colorado’s light-polluted cities, ordinary Taurids will be washed out, and even a bright fireball would be a matter of luck and timing rather than something urban viewers should expect as a dependable show. Experts cited in the Colorado coverage still recommend darker mountain or high-desert locations for the best chance, and that remains the practical advice. A truly brilliant Taurid fireball could be visible from Denver or other urban centers, especially if it streaks high across a clear sky after 11 p.m. when Taurus is higher. But city observers should treat that as a possible bonus, not a likely outcome. For the best odds, get away from streetlights, give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust, and watch a broad stretch of sky rather than staring only at Taurus.

Q: Which of Colorado's certified dark-sky parks offers the ultimate vantage point to witness the rare Beaver Moon supermoon and Pleiades cluster?

There is no single officially designated “best” dark-sky park in the reporting, but Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is the strongest all-around pick for seeing both the Beaver Moon supermoon and the Pleiades cluster. The news story says the best November viewing will be in Colorado mountain communities and dark locations with minimal light pollution. The supporting material highlights Great Sand Dunes as one of Colorado’s signature certified dark-sky destinations, known for very dark skies, broad horizons and strong visibility of eastern sky objects. That matters because the Pleiades rise on the east-northeast horizon, and the Beaver Moon is most dramatic near moonrise or moonset when an open horizon helps. Other certified sites such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Jackson Lake State Park and Florissant Fossil Beds are also strong options. Black Canyon is especially dark and open late, but canyon walls can reduce parts of the visible sky depending on where you stand. Jackson Lake offers wide plains horizons and is excellent for moonrise viewing, especially for Front Range travelers. Florissant is convenient but generally not as iconic or as dark as the most remote parks. So if you want the ultimate scenic-and-dark-sky combination for this pairing, Great Sand Dunes is the best answer. If your priority is the widest unobstructed horizon for moonrise and easier access from Denver, Jackson Lake State Park is a very practical alternative.

3 articles · Updated · The Aspen Times · Nov 6

Nov. 12 brings the month’s standout event: the Northern Taurid meteor shower, with shooting stars possible from sunset to sunrise and the best viewing after 11 p.m.
A crescent moon that sets early should leave darker skies for the Taurids, while Colorado’s mountain areas can further improve visibility by blocking light pollution.
Three more showers follow — the Leonids on Nov. 17, Alpha-Monocerotids on Nov. 21-22 and November Orionids on Nov. 28 — but brighter moonlight may wash out many fainter meteors.
Nov. 24 adds a supermoon, the Beaver Moon, expected to appear about 7% larger than normal when the full moon is near its closest point to Earth.
Longer nights after daylight saving time also make November an easier stargazing month, with observers urged to seek dark locations and watch for the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters.