Enjoy Two Meteor Showers At Once In The New Jersey Sky This Month

One meteor shower is a treat, two meteor showers are a gift! Now is the time to look up at the night sky over New Jersey because we’ll be able to enjoy two overlapping meteor showers. That means double the chances to spot a glowing orb shooting through the sky. Be mesmerized by their beauty or just make a wish, they’re always fun to watch.

First, let’s start with a little science. What is a meteor shower? According to NASA, a meteor is a space rock—or meteoroid—that enters Earth’s atmosphere.

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A meteor shower is when multiple meteoroids appear to radiate from a particular area of the sky due to the Earth passing through a field of celestial debris.

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Most meteors are made of silicon and oxygen and heavier metals like nickel and iron. Typically just the size of a grain of sand up to a small fist, they often burn entirely upon entry to the earth’s atmosphere, creating the fiery show we see. About 5% make their way to the Earth’s surface, like the stone pictured here.

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Currently, two meteor showers can be spotted in the sky over New Jersey - The Leonids and the Taurids.

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The Northern Taurid meteor shower will be visible until early December and it peaks this week. The Leonids will be on display from November 6th to November 30th, peaking November 16-17.

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The Northern Taurids produce 5-10 meteors per hour but they’re known to be particularly bright and vibrant. The Leonids produce around 15 meteors per hour and radiate from the constellation Leo.

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Based on the moon phase and current weather reports, you can expect the clearest night skies on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. Of course, the weather is always changing…

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Keep an eye out on the most current weather report and head to someplace dark.

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Some of your best bets include Jenny Jump State Forest in Hope, Voorhees State Park in High Bridge, and Belleplain State Forest in Woodbine.