Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight, Offering Up to 20 Visible Meteors per Hour
Astronomers say the Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak around midnight on Oct. 21-22, with optimal viewing conditions expected across much of the United States.
The Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak this night, Oct. 21-22, with the highest activity expected around midnight to 2 a.m. Eastern Time. The shower’s radiant lies in the constellation Orion, near the bright star Betelgeuse, and appears in the northeast sky. NASA estimates the display can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under good conditions, with occasional peaks of 60-70 meteors per hour.
The meteors originate from debris left by comet Halley, which also generates the Eta Aquarid shower each May. Observers are advised to find a location away from artificial light and allow 15-20 minutes for their eyes to adapt to the dark. Clear skies are forecast for the evening, and the best viewing window may extend after moonset, around 2:30 a.m. ET.
The Orionids are visible from early October through early November, but the highest concentration of activity occurs during the peak hours tonight.