Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight, Offering Up to 20 Meteors per Hour
The Orionid meteor shower, sourced from Halley's Comet, reaches its peak on the night of Oct. 21-22, with observers in both hemispheres able to see 10-20 meteors per hour under clear skies.
The Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak this evening, Oct. 21-22, according to the American Meteor Society. The annual display, which runs from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7, originates from debris left by Halley's Comet.
The moon will be in a bright waxing-gibbous phase, but observers can still view the meteors, especially just before dawn, as noted by Earthsky.org. NASA advises skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere to lie on their backs with their feet pointing southeast, while those in the Southern Hemisphere should face northeast. After about 30 minutes in darkness, eyes should adapt enough to spot the meteors.
"Weather permitting, sky watchers could see about 10 to 20 meteors per hour," NASA said.
Clear, dark conditions are essential for the best viewing experience, and the shower is visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.