Get out there and marvel at the cosmic light show of the Orionids meteor shower, which started last week. Its peak will hit during a new moon later this month, making it easier to see. You can spot meteors from now through the beginning of November.
When Earth moves through the long, debris-strewn tails of a large comet, the debris falls to Earth in the form of meteors, which we refer to as meteor showers. The Orionids meteor shower occurs courtesy of the 1P/Halley comet, commonly known as Halley's Comet. Another meteor shower Earth experiences thanks to Halley's comet is the Eta Aquariids, which occurs in April and May.
The Orionids are also one of the longest-running major meteor showers, lasting over a month and a half (most meteor showers last weeks or up to a month).
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When is the best time to view Orionids?
The Orionids are predicted to peak on the evening of Oct. 20 and the morning of Oct. 21. The meteor shower is noted for its bright, fast-traveling meteors, which leave trails in the sky that can last several seconds and up to a few minutes.
In terms of time, most experts agree that the show should be at its best between midnight and dawn. Your best bet is to get out there before the sun rises.
Where should I look to see the Orionids?
The Orionids are named after the Orion constellation. All meteor showers are named for the constellation from which they appear to originate. This point, referred to as the radiant, is where you'll want to look at the sky.
The constellation will rise above the eastern horizon at midnight local time in the US. Over the evening, it'll streak over to the southern section of the sky, where it'll eventually be drowned out by the sun at sunrise. If you can spot Jupiter, which will also be visible that night, Orion is next to it. If you're having trouble, websites like Stellarium have free sky maps that you can use for reference.
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