It’s a good time for astronomy fans. October has brought with it the draconid meteors – aka shooting stars – which were visible anywhere in the northern hemisphere. But if you missed that at the beginning of the month, then there are also the Orionid showers, which should also be visible (as long as the weather holds up).
And it seems the stars really have aligned as we’re expecting dry, warmer conditions until Halloween. Here’s everything we know about the Orionid meteor showers.
What is the Orionid meteor shower?
Halley’s Comet is the parent body to the Orionids, an annual meteor shower that lasts approximately one week in late October. In some years, meteors have appeared at a rate of 50 to 70 per hour.
Orionids get their name because the point they appear to come from, called the radiant, lies in the constellation Orion, but they can be seen over a large swathe of the sky.
How can I watch the Orionid meteor shower in the UK?
In 2022 the Orionids will peak between October 21 to 22 from midnight until dawn. Brits will still be able to see the shower for several days either side of this peak.
The showers can be seen at night with the naked eye, so there’s no need for binoculars or a telescope. Just allow yourself some time to adjust to the dark, and find a location away from street lights and other sources of light pollution.
What time is best to see the meteor shower?
The best time to see the Orionids is between midnight and sunrise on the morning of October 22.
When is the next meteor shower?
The next meteor showers are the Taurids, which will be visible between November 12 and 13.
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