Sky enthusiasts in the UAE are in for a celestial treat on two occasions, November 6 and November 13, as they'll have the opportunity to witness the grandeur of the cosmos not just once, but twice.

During these nights, people can bask under the starry sky as the Taurids meteor shower, also known as the "Halloween fireball," reaches its peak meteor activity. This meteor shower is unique as it comprises two streams, the North and South Taurids, originating from different segments of the comet's tail. The Taurids are particularly notable for their abundance of fireballs, which can appear exceptionally bright, captivating the observer. According to NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke, "The Taurids are rich in fireballs, so if you see a Taurid, it can be very brilliant and awe-inspiring."

In terms of specifics, NASA notes that Orionids typically burn up at altitudes of about 58 miles (93 km) above Earth, while Taurids tend to reach around 42 miles (66 km). These meteorites move relatively slowly across the sky, with a speed of approximately 17 miles (27 kilometers) per second or 65,000 miles (104,000 km) per hour. In comparison, the Perseids streak across the sky at a rate of 37 miles (59 km) per second.

Sarath Raj, Project Director at Amity Dubai Satellite Ground Station and AmiSat, Amity University Dubai, shared insights on this celestial phenomenon, stating, "The shower is active from late September to early December, but it's best viewed during its peak activity in mid-November. The Taurid meteor shower is ancient, produced by debris from Comet 2P/Encke, which orbits the sun every 3.3 years."

These meteor showers can be observed from almost any location on Earth, with the exception of the South Pole. Meteor showers are typically named based on the constellation from which the meteors appear to emanate, known as the radiant. In the case of the Taurid meteor shower, it appears to originate from the vicinity of the Taurus constellation.

Raj further explained, "The Taurid meteor shower, with a maximum zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of five, implies that an observer under ideal conditions could witness up to five meteors per hour during its peak activity."

He continued, "The icy and dusty debris of Comet 2P/Enke's stream is so extensive and widely dispersed that it takes Earth a considerable amount of time to traverse it all. This is why we encounter two distinct portions of the shower: the Northern Taurids and the Southern Taurids."

"The South Taurids are set to peak on November 6, 2023, at 4:47 a.m., and the North Taurids will reach their peak on November 13, 2023, at 4:21 a.m. While Comet 2P/Encke is too faint to be visible to the naked eye due to its magnitude, it can be observed using a telescope with an aperture of at least 14 inches (350mm) or larger."