The Orionid meteor shower, a result of Halley’s comet passing by, will be at its peak this week. The shower is active from September 26 to November 22, with the peak expected early on Monday, October 21. During this time, around 23 shooting stars are expected per hour. However, the brightness of the moon may make it difficult to see the meteor shower clearly, so it may be better to watch from home.
NASA describes the Orionids as one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year due to their brightness and speed. These meteors move swiftly at 41 miles per second, creating a spectacular sight in the night sky. The Orionids are caused by debris left behind by Halley’s comet as it travels through the solar system.
Halley’s comet is the only known comet that can be seen twice in one human lifetime. It last visited the inner solar system in 1986 and is expected to return in 2061. In addition to the Orionids, Halley’s comet also causes the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which peaks in early May each year. Both showers can be observed from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Despite their distant origin, the Orionids appear to radiate from a region near Betelgeuse, a red giant star in the Orion constellation. The constellation is famous for Orion’s Belt, which consists of three equally spaced stars: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. Other bright stars in the region include Sirius, Rigel, Procyon, and Capella. In the Northern Hemisphere, Orion will be highest in the sky around 2 a.m. during the peak of the Orionid meteor shower.
In summary, the Orionid meteor shower, originating from Halley’s comet, will be at its peak this week. While the moon’s brightness may affect visibility, watching from home may provide a better view. Enjoy this spectacular display of shooting stars in the night sky!
