The Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Predawn Tomorrow Oct. 21

[Friends just call me Ross]

https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-orionid-meteor-shower?

 

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Orionid meteors fly each year between about October 2 to November 7.

 

That’s when Earth is passing through the stream of debris left behind by Comet Halley, the parent comet of the Orionid shower.

 

The Orionids usually put out the greatest number of meteors in the few hours before dawn, and the expected peak morning in 2020 is October 21.

 

The moon is in a waxing crescent phase, setting before midnight, providing dark skies for this year’s Orionid meteor shower.

 

From a dark location, in a year when the moon is out of the way, you might see 10 to 20 Orionids per hour at their peak.

 

Will you see that many in 2020? Well … maybe. There’s always the element of uncertainty and possible surprise when it comes to meteor showers.

 

Orionid meteors radiate from constellation Orion. 

 

So … in which direction do you look? No particular direction. It’s best to find a wide-open viewing area. 

 

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Orionid meteors stem from Comet Halley. Meteors are fancifully called shooting stars. Of course, they aren’t really stars. They’re debris left behind by comets, burning up in the Earth’s atmosphere.

 

The Orionid meteors are debris left behind by Comet Halley, arguably the most famous of all comets, which last visited Earth in 1986. This comet leaves debris in its wake that strikes Earth’s atmosphere most fully around October 20-22, while Earth intersects the comet’s orbit, as it does every year at this time.

 

Particles shed by the comet slam into our upper atmosphere, where they vaporize at some 60 miles (100 km) above Earth’s surface.

 

Even one meteor can be a thrill. But you might want to observe for an hour or more, and in that case the trick is to find a place to observe in the country. Bring along a blanket or lawn chair and lie back comfortably while gazing upward.

Halley’s Comet, perhaps the most famous of all comets, is parent of both the Eta Aquariid meteor shower in May and October’s Orionid meteor shower. Image via NASA.

 

Bottom line: In 2020, the Orionid meteor shower is expected to rain down its greatest number of meteors on the morning of October 21. But watch – in a dark sky – on the mornings after that, too.