How to Watch the 2022 Orionid Meteor Shower

Halley’s Comet won’t be visible for 39 years, but at least we can enjoy its dust. The annual Orionid meteor shower, a byproduct of Halley’s recent Earth flyby, has begun.

The shower is said to last for the rest of October Beginning of November. But it will do its peak for skywatchers in the US October 21st to October 22nd. The is new moon on the 25th.-meaning The sky will be extra dark for most of the space spectacle.

In the past, the Orionids have produced up to 80 meteors per hour, but in Over the past few years, displays have achieved around 20-30 visible “shooting stars,” which is about what we can expect this month corresponding Space.com. Still, the shower is likely to put on an exciting show as the Orionids cross Earth’s orbit head-on, making the meteors fast and quite dramatic. corresponding NASA. The shower is known too sometimes produce fireballs, ie extra bright meteors.

What are the Orionids?

Like all visible meteor showers, the Orionids are a phenomenon of particles intersection with (and burn in) Earth’s Upper Atmosphere. And the particles of the Orionids come from the Meteor shower from one of the most famous comets: Halley’s.

Also known as 1P/Halley, Halley’s Comet an elliptical orbit around the sun that brings the mass of rock and ice about every 76 years close to Earth. As the comet warms in the heat of our inner solar system, chunks of ice and other debris fall off, eventually hanging at the intersection of our orbit and Halley’s orbit.

Thus, every fall, Earth is treated to a meteor shower from the remnants of a long-gone comet. Halley’s Frisbee-shaped path intersects Earth’s orbit twice each orbit, meaning there is another corresponding visible meteor shower called Eta Aquariids that occurs around May.

Although named after Orion because the meteors appear to appear from a bright point near the constellation, the Orionids will be visible across much of the sky. In fact, according to Space.com, the meteors with the most impressive trails will likely appear farther from Orion.

Note: Orion does not actually produce Meteors at all, the constellation is much further from Earth than the shooting stars. Instead, the bright spot is a trick of perspective.

This is how you get the best view

First, check the forecast and aim for a cloudless night. Remember, closer to the new moon and the culmination of October 21-22 is better. Then go to a dark place – as far away from the city lights as possible possible – and wait for your eyes to get used to it. It is best to post early in the morning as the bright spot will be his highest around 2 a.m

Orion is in the southwest quadrant of the autumn sky in the northern hemisphere and in the northwest in the southern hemisphere.

For optimal meteorite observation, position yourself so that you can see the sky as far as possible. Laying flat on your back is usually best (bring a blanket and/or sleeping bag). It’s worth scanning the whole sky, but the most spectacular meteors are likely to appear anywhere 45 to 90 degrees away from Orion, according to NASA.