Millions of people across America recently marveled at the “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse, and now another cosmic event is set to captivate sky watchers. The Orionid meteor shower is nearing its peak, offering one of the most spectacular celestial displays of the year.
The Orionids meteor shower, an annual event that graces the October night sky, is caused when Earth passes through the remnants of Halley’s Comet. Although this meteor shower lasts until Nov. 22, its zenith is expected over the Northern Hemisphere on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 20-21), according to Space.com. One of the unique aspects of the Orionids is that they are visible to stargazers in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The name ‘Orionids’ is derived from the fact that these meteors appear to originate near the constellation Orion. Moving at an amazing 41 miles (66 kilometers) per second, they are only slightly slower than the fast Leonids, moving at about 5 km per second. The sheer speed of the Orionids sets them apart, hurtling through Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 148,000 mph, as noted by NASA.
Notably, meteors are the remnants of cometary particles and debris from broken asteroids. Meteor showers occur when Earth crosses the path of a comet and collides with these particles, which burn up as they enter the atmosphere.
Viewers with clear skies can expect to witness about 20 meteors per hour during peak meteor shower nights. This year, during the Orionid peak, the Moon will be about 37% illuminated.
No special equipment is required to observe meteors; just the eye is enough. According to the BBC, the best place to view the Orionid meteor shower is in a dark area, away from artificial light and with the moon out of sight. To prepare, it is advisable to let your eyes adapt to the dark by spending about 30 minutes outside.
The prime time for meteor viewing is between midnight and sunrise on the morning of October 21. Sky watchers are in for a celestial treat as the Orionid meteor shower lights up the night sky. Don’t forget to wish on the shooting star!
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