How to See the Orionid Meteor Shower This Week
One of the most reliable meteor showers of the fall season is about to reach its peak, and it comes with a famous connection. The Orionid meteor shower will peak Wednesday night into Thursday morning, Oct. 21-22, as Earth passes through debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.
Under dark, ideal conditions, the Orionids can produce up to 20 meteors per hour. This year’s show will face some competition from the moon, though, so timing will make a big difference for anyone hoping to catch a shooting star.
When to Watch the Orionids
The best window to see the Orionids will come during the final hours before sunrise on Thursday morning. That’s when the sky will be at its darkest, giving skywatchers the best chance of spotting fainter meteors.
Patience is part of the experience. A rate of 20 meteors per hour works out to roughly one every few minutes on average, but meteors don’t follow a schedule. Several can appear in a short burst, followed by a longer stretch with nothing at all. Settling in for at least 30 minutes to an hour gives viewers a much better chance of seeing a few.
How the Moon Will Affect the Show
A nearly full moon will brighten the sky for much of the night during this year’s peak. Moonlight washes out dimmer meteors, which means the overall count could be lower than usual for much of the evening.
The good news is that conditions should improve once the moon sets. Waiting until the pre-dawn hours, when the sky becomes darker, is the best strategy for making the most of this year’s Orionid meteor shower.
Where the Weather Looks Best
Clouds can make or break any meteor shower, and the forecast looks promising for much of the country. The central and eastern United States are expected to have largely clear skies for the peak.
A dry, seasonable stretch of weather is settling over the Northeast and Ohio Valley this week, which should help. Some clouds may linger around Florida, the Upper Midwest and New England, but there should be enough breaks to spot a few meteors.
The outlook is less encouraging in the West. A large storm moving into the region is expected to spread clouds across most areas along and west of the Rocky Mountains, likely blocking the view entirely.
The Halley’s Comet Connection
The Orionids get their name from the constellation Orion, because the meteors appear to radiate from that part of the sky. Viewers don’t need to stare at Orion to see them, though. Meteors can streak across a wide portion of the sky, so a broad, open view offers the best chance of catching one.
The shower’s source is one of the most famous objects in the solar system. Halley’s Comet won’t return to the inner solar system until 2061, but its earlier trips around the sun left behind trails of dust and tiny bits of debris. Each October, Earth passes through part of that trail.
When those particles hit Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, they heat up and create the quick streaks of light known as shooting stars. Halley’s Comet is also responsible for another annual meteor shower, the Eta Aquariids, which peaks each May.
Tips for Watching the Orionids
A little preparation can make a big difference. Here’s how to get the most out of this year’s show:
Find a dark spot: Get as far as possible from streetlights, porch lights and other sources of light.
Let your eyes adjust: Spend at least 15 minutes in the dark without looking at bright lights, including a phone screen or the moon.
Take in the whole sky: A wide, unobstructed view gives you the best chance of seeing meteors in different parts of the sky.
Dress for the cold: Pre-dawn hours can be chilly in late October, so bring a warm jacket, a blanket or a reclining chair to stay comfortable.
If clouds or moonlight get in the way this year, there will be other chances. Several more meteor showers ahead will light up the sky before the end of the year, giving skywatchers plenty of opportunities to look up.
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