After millions of people across America witnessed the Ring of Fire Eclipse last week, another celestial phenomenon will delight skygazers. The Orionids meteor shower will peak this weekend, giving people one of the most spectacular events of the year.
The Orionid meteor shower that lights up the night sky every October is produced when Earth passes through the debris left by Halley’s comet. Although the shower will last through November 22, it will peak in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday and Saturday (October 20-21), according to Space.com. The Orionids are visible to sky watchers in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The Orionids got their name because meteors appear to form around the star Orion. According to NASA science data, the Orionids travel across the sky at a speed of 41 miles per second (66 km), just 3 miles per second (5 km) faster than the Leonids. According to NASA, the Orionids travel through Earth’s atmosphere at 90,000 mph (148,000 km/h).
Incidentally, meteors come from pieces of leftover comet particles and broken asteroids. Meteor showers occur when Earth crosses the path of comets and collides with particles that burn in the atmosphere.
Outdoor viewers can expect to see 20 meteors per hour on peak nights. This year, the Moon will be 37% illuminated at its peak.
How to see it?
We don’t need special equipment to see meteors and our naked eyes are enough. According to the BBC, the best place to see the Orionid meteor shower is when it’s dark, away from the light and out of sight of the Moon. To prepare, stay outside for 30 minutes and adjust your eyes to the darkness. The best time to see meteors is between dawn and midnight on October 21.
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