A great chance to see a breathtaking cosmic event is the Orionid meteor shower. The meteors will be at their brightest on October 21 or 22, so that’s the optimum time to see them. The shower will still be visible a few days before and after, though, if you miss these days.
Choose a spot with less light pollution, like a secluded spot far from city lights, for the finest view. You’ll have a better chance of seeing the meteors because the sky will be clearer. The good news is that all you need to appreciate the Orionids is your eyes, a comfortable chair, and perhaps a warm beverage. No additional tools like binoculars or telescopes are required.
While this is a good spot to focus on, fallen meteors can be seen across the entire sky. If you have trouble finding Orion, an astronomy app can help you identify the correct region of the sky. The meteors seem to be coming from the constellation Orion. To find Orion, look for its “belt,” which is composed of three bright stars in a straight line.
The debris from Halley’s Comet, which only comes close to Earth once every 75 years, is what makes the Orionid meteor shower unique. Halley’s Comet won’t be visible from Earth again until 2061. Tiny pieces of the comet break off and travel 41 miles per second into Earth’s atmosphere as it circles the Sun. These pieces evaporate to produce the dazzling light streaks that we recognize as meteors.
You should anticipate seeing 10–20 meteors per hour under perfect circumstances. Fast, bright meteors that leave behind lengthy, luminous tails are a characteristic of the Orionids. On the busiest nights of October 21 or 22, try to watch the shower from a dark, isolated spot for the finest view.
Savor this celestial display—it’s one of the best opportunities to witness Halley’s Comet leftovers illuminating the night sky!
