Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Mid-October, Best Viewing Tips Inside
The Orionid meteor shower, caused by debris from Halley's Comet, will peak overnight between October 21 and 22, offering 10-20 visible meteors per hour under dark skies.
The Orionid meteor shower returns this week as Earth moves through dust left by Halley's Comet, with activity spanning October 2 to November 7. Its peak is expected overnight on October 21-22, when observers can see about 10 to 20 meteors per hour moving at roughly 41 miles per second and seeming to originate from Orion. To watch, stargazers should find a dark location away from streetlights, allow 15-20 minutes for eye adaptation, and need no binoculars or telescopes.
Weather forecasts suggest the best conditions in southern and eastern England, while Wales, the Midlands and northern England may encounter clouds and rain; Scotland and Northern Ireland will see mixed conditions. The Moon’s brightness could obscure fainter meteors during the peak, but brighter streaks should remain visible from dark sites.
