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18 November 2025
What Exactly Are the Alpha Monocerotids?
The Alpha Monocerotids are simply a meteor shower; these meteors appear to radiate from the area around the star Alpha in the Monoceros constellation (The Unicorn). Interestingly, this shower is quite fast, reaching speeds of approximately 60 km/s. That makes it only slightly slower than the famous Perseids, which people consider one of the fastest meteor showers.
Consequently, when the Alpha Monocerotids appear in the sky, they create bright streaks of light. Astronomers discovered them precisely because of these intense light trails.
When to See the Peak of the alpha Monocerotid meteor shower
Make a note of this—here is the crucial information you need to know about the upcoming Alpha Monocerotid maximum:
Key facts in 20 seconds
- Peak: November 21–22 2025, around 5:00
- Activity: possibly up to 400 meteors per hour
- Duration: 15–30 minutes
- Radiant: Monoceros, near Procyon
- How to observe: best with the naked eye from a dark location
This is a fascinating phenomenon, isn’t it? The Alpha Monocerotids are both fast and intense. As a result, you should prepare properly for the observation so you do not miss a single falling star.
How to Best Watch the Alpha Monocerotids
Because this meteor shower possesses a bright glow, the best time for observation is during the darkest hours. However, the peak occurs in the early morning, so that is exactly when you should prepare for the true spectacle. Yet, the time of day alone is not enough to guarantee a great show. Why?
City and street lights can easily outshine the stars. Therefore, it is much better to drive away to a completely dark spot, ideally one where you can see the sky in its full glory. You can see the Alpha Monocerotids perfectly with the naked eye, so you don’t need to buy specialised equipment. Still, consider installing a stargazing app on your phone; it can offer more fascinating facts about them.
Moreover, since the best hours for observation are also the coldest, you must prepare accordingly. Crucially, dress warmly and take a hot beverage in a thermos. Bring a blanket and a deck chair—you will need them while you wait for the display.
Remember this: Although falling stars in November are slowly winding down, the Geminids and Ursids await us in December!
The History of the Alpha Monocerotid Meteor Shower
In fact, the history of observing this phenomenon is exactly 100 years old. An American observer, F. T. Bradley, first noticed the Alpha Monocerotids in the sky in 1925. He was lucky, as they are not always this clearly visible. This is because the stars’ activity is irregular, and the shower’s abundance varies greatly.
For years, it was active annually, but the most spectacular years for the shower were 1935, 1985, and 1995. Exactly 30 years ago, under ideal observing conditions, viewers could see about 420 meteors per hour. Dust modeling suggests that the Earth is passing close to several dust trails of the shower—consequently, repeats of the 1985 and 1995 displays are quite possible. We hope for a great Alpha Monocerotid meteor shower this year.
These meteors travel at 60 km/s
That is nearly:
- 216,000 km/h,
- over 100 times faster than a rifle bullet,
- among the fastest observable meteors on Earth.
What You Should Know About the November Sky: Summary
November brings long, dark evenings and many opportunities for stargazing. Although the conditions can be temperamental, patient observers can spot unique astronomical phenomena and objects characteristic only of this time of year.
How Does Day Length Change in November?
At the start of the month, the day lasts 9 hours and 31 minutes, and by the end, it shortens to only 8 hours and 1 minute. This clearly signals our approach to the winter solstice.
What Phenomena Are Worth Observing in the Second Half of the Month?
You should pay attention to the Leonid and Alpha Monocerotid meteor showers, as well as the rising Orion and the Pleiades. This period offers the darkest skies, making it ideal for observing star clusters and nebulae.
Which Planets Will Be Visible in November?
Jupiter and Uranus, which are visible for most of the night, will provide the best viewing conditions. Venus and Merkury will appear at dawn, while Saturn will gradually disappear from the evening sky.
Do you know someone who is interested in the night sky? Send them this text!
Read this article in Polish: To nie będzie zwykła noc. Z nieba spadnie srebrny deszcz meteorów
