See Fireballs During The Orionids Meteor Shower Next Week
If you've never seen a meteor shower, mark your calendar for Oct. 22 and 23, because dozens of shooting stars will be flashing across the night's sky then.
We're talking specifically about the Orionids meteor shower, which occurs around this time of year annually—Oct. 2 to Nov. 7 this year—when Earth passes through an area filled with debris from Halley's Comet. As it interacts with Earth's atmosphere, the debris from Halley's Comet turns into bright, colorful Orionids.
This year, it's predicted that the meteors will peak on Oct. 22 and 23. This peak means that you'll be seeing these meteors at their fastest and at their most vivid, with your best chance for visibility being an hour or two before dawn at 6:55 a.m. ET on Oct. 23, according to PennLive.com. While you should be able to glimpse 30 to 40 meteors darting across the sky during the shower, the newspaper notes that the overall display will be more muted than in years past, since it occurs when the moon is brightest (which is also why they recommend looking skyward after the moon has set).
To make sure you don't miss this sight, head to a sight-seeing spot that's farther away from city or street lights. And if we're being reaaally precise, be certain that you're laying flat on the ground, facing in the right direction—toward the constellation Orion. Space.com recommends heading out 20 minutes before peak, giving your eyes plenty of time to adjust before the big show starts.
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