Get prepared stargazers! The Orionid meteor bathe peaks subsequent week in a single day on Oct. 20-21, bringing with it a flurry of spectacular ‘capturing stars’ to brighten a blissfully darkish moonless sky.
The Orionid meteor bathe is lively from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7. It happens when Earth barrels by means of the path of particles shed by Halley’s Comet because it makes its 76-year orbital tour of the photo voltaic system. Orionid ‘capturing stars’ come up when historic comet particles collide with our planet at speeds of roughly 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second), burning up in an impressive show as they’re overwhelmed by friction.
In 2025, the bathe will attain peak exercise in a single day on Oct. 20-21, when 10-20 meteors could be witnessed each hour blazing away from a point of origin — known as a radiant — located in the constellation Orion, fairly close to the red giant star Betelgeuse. During exceptional years, the shower can see peak rates of 50 to 75 meteors each hour, placing it on par with the extra prolific August Perseid meteor bathe.
The Orionid meteor bathe will unfold towards a pristinely darkish, moonless sky — not like the Perseids, whose August peak was considerably ruined by the sunshine forged by a waning gibbous moon that hid dimmer members of the bathe from view.
Viewing tips
As always when viewing meteor showers, it’s best to wrap up warm, head away from city lights and allow 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the night sky. The best time to hunt for Orionids is in the predawn hours of Oct. 21, when the radiant can be found high above the southern horizon.
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To maximize your possibilities of seeing the Orionids, first find Betelgeuse shining to the higher left of the three distinctive stars that type the well-known asterism of Orion’s Belt. Next select a patch of sky 40 levels above the star. (The width of your clenched fist held at arm’s size accounts for 10 levels of sky.) Here the capturing stars might be at their most spectacular.
Orionids are recognized for his or her blistering velocity and for the glowing trains, or trails left of their wake, which might endure for a number of seconds after their passage. While viewing them, be looking out for spectacular fireballs — particularly vibrant meteors that flare dramatically to outshine even the brightest planets within the evening sky.
Be certain to learn our information to photographing capturing stars should you’re serious about capturing your personal distinctive view of the Orionid meteor bathe and whilst you’re at it why not try our picks of the finest lenses and cameras for astrophotography in 2025.
Editor’s Note: If you are taking a picture of an Orionid meteor and need to share it with Space.com’s readers, then please ship your photograph alongside along with your feedback, title and placement to spacephotos@house.com.