The Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak in October as the Earth passes through a stream of dust particles that were shed by Halley’s Comet. Here is what you can expect to see.
In 2020, maximum activity coincides with a waxing crescent Moon, which will set by late evening. This means that conditions will be ideal and there will be no moonlight to down out the meteors.
Meteors will become more numerous in the approach to the shower’s peak, or maximum, which occurs from October 21 to 23.
The predicted number of meteors observable under ideal conditions, known as the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR), is 20 to 25. In practice, you will see less than this, as conditions are rarely ideal. In some years (2006 – 2010), the Orionids have sprung a surprise by producing rates two or three times higher than usual.
Orionid meteors appear swift against the starry background, and are always beautiful to see as nature’s own fireworks. We have a special article to tell you more about the Orionid meteor shower.
How to observe the Orionids
You don’t need any special equipment other than your eyes to see the Orionid meteor shower! The important thing to bring to the party is patience.
Also, make sure you are comfortable. October nights can be chilly, so wrap up warm, including good shoes and a hat if possible to keep yourself warm.
You will also need a deckchair or sun-lounger so that you can sit back and relax while you stare at the night sky. Get away from the glare of street lights and security lights. Most meteors will get lost in light pollution.
Usually, it is recommended that you look in a direction about 60° away from the meteor shower’s radiant, which is the point from which they would appear to diverge.
When you see a meteor, trace its path back and you will see if it points towards this radiant.
Note that you won’t see any meteors until the radiant has risen above the horizon. From mid northern latitudes, this occurs late in the evening. As it then gets higher in the sky, the chances of seeing Orionid meteors will improve.
You may see meteors that do not come from the Orionid radiant. Another meteor shower is currently active, called the Taurids. The rate for this shower is much less, but it is rich in bright fireballs and lasts for several weeks. You may also see what are termed “sporadics”. These are meteors which appear randomly throughout the year and are not attached to any known meteor streams.
We have a full guide that advises on how to observe a meteor shower. If you have a camera capable of taking time exposures, you could also try to get a photo of an Orionid. Again, we have a guide on how to photograph meteors.
