The Orionid meteor shower reaches its climax tonight (October 21), which makes this an excellent time to get outside and see some fireballs streaming through the atmosphere.
Terms of viewing for this year Orionid meteor shower Favorable, as the moon will be in waning crescent phase It will only be 17% lit. Orionids are considered one of the most reliable meteor showers After the Geminids and Perseids, they are known to produce dozens of meteors per hour, making this year’s showers an excellent opportunity to view the late night sky.
The Orionids got their name from the fact that the glowing meteor – the point in the sky from which meteorites appear to have originated – is in Orion Beside Hunters Club. In the northern hemisphere, Orion will be present in the southwestern sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, the constellation will appear in the northwestern sky.
Related: Orionid meteor shower 2022: When, where and how to see it
At the end of October each year, the Earth passes through a swarm of meteorites left behind in their wake Halley’s Comet. When these dust bits encounter our planet’s atmosphere, they encounter friction and ignite the air in front of them. Even a small, pea-sized piece of Halley’s wreck can burn with enough illumination to be seen from 60 miles (100 km) underground.
The best time to see meteors at night is in the early hours of Saturday (October 22) just before dawn. before dawn meteors They tend to be much brighter than those that occurred earlier at night due to the fact that at this time of night the Earth is moving towards the direction in which the meteors originate. Meteors in the early morning hours will appear faster and brighter than those seen early at night.
To enjoy the view of the shower, place a comfortable reclining chair, find an area with as little light pollution as possible and be sure to keep warm. Give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust.
Editor’s note: If you took a photo of the Orionid meteor shower you’d like to share with Space.com and our news partners for a story or photo gallery, send photos and comments to: [email protected].
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