Orionid Meteor Shower Returns: Where and When to See It - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - One of the best-known meteor showers of the year is returning this week as Earth passes through dust and debris left behind by Halley’s Comet. The Orionid meteor shower is active from October 2 to November 7, with its peak expected overnight from October 21 to 22.
According to the BBC, the Orionids occur when tiny particles from Halley’s Comet enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, heat up and create bright streaks of light. The meteors are particularly fast, travelling at around 41 miles per second, and can leave glowing trails visible for several seconds.
The meteor shower appears to originate from the constellation Orion, giving it its name, although meteors can be seen across the night sky. Under ideal conditions, around 10 to 20 meteors could be visible each hour at the peak.
Halley’s Comet takes about 76 years to orbit the Sun and was last visible from Earth in 1986. Although the comet itself is a rare visitor, Earth passes through its debris twice a year, producing the Eta Aquariid shower in May and the Orionids in October.
The Orionid meteor shower is active from October 2 through November 7, with the best viewing opportunity expected around the October 21–22 peak. The best time to watch is between midnight and dawn, when the sky is darkest.
For the best chance of seeing the Orionid meteor shower, find a dark location away from street lights with a wide view of the sky. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust, and no binoculars or telescope are needed.
Viewing conditions at the beginning of the shower will vary across the UK. Southern and eastern England are expected to have the clearest conditions, while cloud and rain could make viewing more difficult in Wales, the Midlands and northern England. Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to see a mix of clear periods, cloud and showers.
The Moon could also make some of the fainter meteor shower harder to see during the peak later in October. However, brighter meteors should remain visible, particularly from locations away from artificial light.
