Bright fireballs over Thailand: Mysterious comet shower expected!

Bright fireballs over Thailand: Mysterious comet shower expected!

Today, October 26, 2025, a spectacular fireball lit up the sky over Thailand and caused excitement among numerous observers. According to the Thai Astronomical Society, the phenomenon occurred in the early hours of the morning, followed by a loud explosion heard in several central provinces. The origin of the fireball is attributed to the remnants of an ancient comet that broke up about 10,000 years ago and is not related to the distant Comet Lemmon, over 90 million kilometers away. The bright light seen could provide a foretaste of the upcoming meteor showers from the fragments of comet 2P/Encke, also known as the source of the Taurid meteors.

The night sky always surprises us with its wonders. In just over a week, the Southern and Northern Taurids, two meteor showers that both originate from the constellation Taurus, will become active. The Southern Taurids have been active since September 20th and will peak on the night of November 4th-5th, while the Northern Taurids will peak on the night of November 11th-12th. Under optimal conditions, observers could see up to five meteors per hour during peak periods. However, the light from the full moon could outshine some of the fainter meteors - not exactly ideal for star-loving night owls.

A comet with history

Comet 2P/Encke, first discovered in 1786, has an orbital period of just 3.3 years. Scientists have determined that the comet has a dynamic orbit influenced by Jupiter's gravity. The Taurid meteoroid flow derived from it is often associated with increased levels of fireball activity. These intense light phenomena, which can occasionally outshine the brightness of Venus, occur when larger objects enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up.

The dust fragments from Comet 2P/Encke are also to blame for the current observations and the impending fireballs. Scientists explain that an increase in meteors, especially slow and bright ones, can be expected as space passes through this region. Smaller near-Earth objects associated with 2P/Encke have also been identified, although the comet's activity is not sufficient to explain all observed meteor events. This leaves room for speculation about further connections between 2P/Encke and the observed meteors.

A call to astronomy enthusiasts

Whether you're a skilled astronomer or just enjoy looking at the night sky, the coming weeks are the perfect time to keep an eye on the sky. The peak of the Taurid meteor shower promises some impressive fireballs, and similar events have caused amazement in the past, such as in 1964, 2005 and 2015. Keep your eyes open, because the spectacular celestial spectacle could soon be upon you again - a little patience and the night sky will reveal its secrets to you!

Current information about the phenomenon can be followed at the following links: The Thaiger, Space.com, and A&A.