The Orionid Meteor Shower Is Coming. Here’s How and when to Watch
NASA says the shower can produce up to 20 meteors an hour, but a bright waxing gibbous Moon will reduce visibility.
- The annual Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight Oct 21 into Oct 22, according to Te Whatu Stardome. Stargazers can view the event across the sky.
- Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by Halley each October, causing this fall meteor shower. These fast-moving meteors travel through the atmosphere at about 148,000 mph.
- The American Meteor Society reports the moon will be about 77% illuminated during the peak, potentially obscuring fainter meteors. The National Weather Service forecasts partly cloudy conditions in New York City, with temperatures around 45 degrees.
- Stardome advises finding a dark location away from light pollution to maximize viewing chances. Stargazers should allow about 20 to 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the darkness.
- Several other meteor showers are expected to peak before the end of the year. Upcoming events include the Northern Taurids, Leonids, Geminids, and Ursids, offering stargazers additional opportunities through Dec.
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You Won't Want To Miss This Week's 'Beautiful' Orionid Meteor Shower
Stargazers have been spoiled this year. Aside from the usual Lyrid and Eta Aquariid meteor showers, we’ve also enjoyed a solar eclipse – which was itself followed by a Perseid meteor shower in what was termed a “cosmic double whammy”. Now, we’re due for what NASA calls “one of the most beautiful [meteor] showers of the year”: the Orionids. Here’s what those are, as well as when and where you’ll be able to see them.What is the Orionid meteor show…
TONIGHT is the peak of the Orionid meteor shower, remnants of Halley's Comet. The best time to watch is after midnight, but the Moon will make it difficult to see the fainter meteors.
Reforma
The Orionides will reach their peak this week, with up to 20 meteors per hour, although moonlight will make it difficult to observe.
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