Orionid meteor shower to light up October skies with fiery cosmic display - FOX Weather

FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — There is just one week to go until the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. Skywatchers could see some of the fastest meteors of the year streaking across the predawn sky. The Orionids peak overnight Oct. 21 and 22 and can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under dark, favourable conditions. The shower is active from Oct. 2 through Nov. 7. The meteors are comprised of debris left behind by Halley’s Comet, which last passed by in 1986. As Earth passes through the comet’s debris stream each October, the particles strike the atmosphere at about 68 kilometres per second. Richard Covey, amateur astronomer, published astrophotographer and member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, says the Orionids are especially appealing because of their speed and their connection to one of astronomy’s best-known comets. “You’re literally watching tiny pieces of Halley’s Comet burn up in the atmosphere. They’re moving incredibly fast, so the Orionids can produce some very sharp, impressive streaks across the sky.”Moonlight will make this year’s peak more challenging. The Moon will be bright around Oct. 21 and 22, washing out many of the fainter meteors for much of the night

Orionids peak overnight Oct. 21 and 22 and can produce up to 20 meteors per hour.

Orionids peak overnight Oct. 21 and 22 and can produce up to 20 meteors per hour.

The annual Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak this week, offering the chance to see fragments of the most famous comet of all streaking across the night sky. The Orionids occur every October as Earth passes through a stream of dust left behind by Halley’s comet. As these tiny particles plunge into Earth’s atmosphere at about 66 kilometres per second, they heat the surrounding air and produce the fleeting streaks of light that we call meteors. This year, the shower is expected to reach its peak during the night of 21–22 October. Under ideal conditions, observers may see between 10 and 20 Orionid meteors per hour. Unfortunately, conditions this year are not ideal because of the presence of a bright waxing gibbous Moon. This will drown out many of the fainter meteors. Nevertheless, conditions improve during the early hours of the morning. The moon sets at about 03:00 BST, leaving a few hours of darker sky before dawn, just as Orion is climbing high into the sky. Find a safe location with as wide a view of the heavens as possible and simply watch with the naked eye. The chart shows the view looking south-east from London at midnight as 21 becomes 22 October.

The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight on Oct. 21-22, bringing a spectacular display of shooting stars to the autumn sky.

The Orionids peak around Oct. 21. Here's when and where to look for the best chance of spotting meteors.