Skywatchers have another chance to catch the Orionid meteor shower late Wednesday and before dawn Thursday, after the annual display peaked early Wednesday.
Astronomy magazine forecasts 15 to 18 meteors per hour at peak. However, a bright waxing gibbous Moon could obscure fainter streaks until it sets.
The best viewing window is early morning, when Orion climbs higher and moonlight no longer interferes with the display.
Observers who missed Wednesday morning’s peak can still watch overnight into Thursday, although meteor activity may gradually decline.
Astronomy recommends watching between 2:00 am local time and dawn, after the Moon has set. However, exact moonset times vary by location.
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To find the shower, look for Orion, the constellation known as the Hunter. Its distinctive three-star Belt provides an easy starting point. Next, locate Betelgeuse, the bright red giant marking one of Orion’s shoulders.
Orionid meteors appear to originate from a point northeast of Betelgeuse. Rather than look directly at that point, scan the surrounding sky. Observers may see longer meteor trails by looking roughly 40° to 60° away from the shower’s apparent starting point.
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The Moon’s brightness will affect visibility earlier in the night. Once it drops below the horizon, darker skies should improve the chances of spotting weaker meteors. Clear skies and limited artificial lighting can also improve viewing conditions.
The Orionid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a stream of dust and debris left behind by Halley’s Comet. As these particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they produce the bright streaks commonly called shooting stars.
Orionid meteors travel at approximately 41 miles per second. Their speed can produce bright trails that remain visible briefly after the meteor passes.
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Although the meteors appear to emerge from Orion, observers can spot them across a wider section of the sky. Astronomy expects activity to remain above the usual background rate of roughly six sporadic meteors per hour during the period immediately after the peak.
