Celestial Mystery Solved! Williston ND’s Social Media Buzzes Over Meteor Shower

Williston residents were buzzing last night after something mysterious streaked across the sky near Williston Airport. Social media was ablaze, with many wondering if extraterrestrial visitors had finally touched down. Unfortunately for UFO enthusiasts, the answer was a bit more down-to-Earth (or at least, down-from-space): it was a meteor shower!

Ancient Comet Debris Lights Up the Sky: North Taurid Meteor Shower Dazzles with Fiery "Fireballs"

According to NPR, the recent sky show was thanks to the North Taurid meteor shower, known for bright, fiery streaks sometimes called "fireballs." These meteors come from the debris of a comet that broke up around 10,000 years ago, creating both the North and South Taurid meteor showers. The South Taurids are bits of Comet Encke, while the North Taurids hail from asteroid 2004TG10.

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Catch the Taurid Meteor Shower: A Few Bright “Fireballs” Set to Light Up Fall Nights

NASA’s Bill Cooke, head of the Meteoroid Environment Office, says the Taurids are best viewed from October through early December, depending on which hemisphere you’re in. Although the 2024 Taurid meteor shower isn’t expected to be especially active, it still brings the chance to spot a handful of these bright meteors – perfect for keeping Williston residents entertained with “Is it a plane? A UFO?” moments.

Midnight Magic: Spot Taurid “Fireballs” Near the Taurus Constellation—No Binoculars Needed!

The Taurids can be seen where the Taurus constellation is located, so just look up after midnight for your best chance to catch a fireball or two. And here’s a tip from the pros: skip the binoculars. The best way to see meteors is with your own two eyes, taking in as much sky as possible. According to the American Meteor Society, the moon will be 79% full, so keep an eye out for that perfect moment when it’s dark enough to see those streaks.

So, next time you see something unusual lighting up Williston’s skies, don’t panic. Just grab a warm jacket, head outside, and enjoy the cosmic show courtesy of the Taurids. Sorry, alien fans—this time, it’s nature, not neighbors from beyond! If you have any pictures from around the area from this recent meteor shower, please send them to scott.haugen@townsquaremedia.com.