The 2023 Orionid meteor shower will peak tonight, giving stargazers a great chance to see the spectacle in the night sky.
Greenwich Observatory calls the Orionids “one of the most famous and reliable meteor showers in the annual calendar.”
The shower lasts for over a month and is an annual feature of the UK’s autumn night skies, although there are only a few nights when the Orionids are at their best. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the Orionid meteor shower?
The Orionid meteor shower is made up of parts of Comet 1P/Halley, better known as Comet Halley.
This comet is rare because it passes so close to Earth that it can be seen with the naked eye. This phenomenon occurs every 75–76 years, making it the only comet that can appear to the naked eye twice in a person’s lifetime.
The meteors are debris from Halley’s Comet and enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of about 40 miles per second.
These debris are visible to us as streaks of light resulting from their evaporation due to friction with the air.
The shower got its name because if you trace the path of the meteors, you will find that they come from a point in the constellation Orion.
When can I see the Orionids?
The Orionids can be seen from October 2 to November 7 this year, but their peak sightings occur at night. Saturday, October 21.
The best time to see them is between midnight and sunrise.
Under optimal viewing conditions, you should be able to see about 25 meteors per hour.
What’s the best way to see meteors?
Greenwich Observatory recommends: “Meteorite hunting, like the rest of astronomy, is a game of waiting. So it’s best to bring a comfortable chair to sit on and dress warmly as you may be spending some time outside.”
Ideally, you want to be as far away from light pollution as possible and in a wide open space without tall buildings or trees.
They can be seen with the naked eye, so you won’t need binoculars or a telescope, but you will need to get used to the darkness.
Meteors can be seen all over the sky, so it’s good to be in a wide open space where you can view the night sky with your own eyes.
Source: I News
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