October has been an exciting time for skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere.
You can also add the Orionid meteor shower to this month’s observations, along with the Aurora borealis, Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet and Draconid meteors.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the debris trail left behind by a comet or asteroid.
Some of these debris are composed of rocks, ice, and dust, and burn up when they enter the atmosphere, leaving trails of light. These scars are popularly known as “shooting stars”.
The Orionid meteor shower has a famous parent comet: 1P/Halley, aka Halley’s comet.
Discovered by British astronomer Edmond Halley in 1705, this comet moves in a 76-year orbit and will return to the inner solar system in 2061.
During this time, the Earth will constantly pass through Halley’s remnant field; This is good news for meteor watchers.
TIPS FOR SEEING ORIONID METEORS
According to NASA, the Orionids are fast, bright and beautiful. Their speeds can reach up to 237,539 kilometers per hour, making them one of the fastest meteor showers visible from Earth.
The reason Orionid meteors occur so quickly is that while the Earth is moving in one direction, the particles from Halley’s Comet are moving in almost the opposite direction.
During the peak period of Orionid meteors, approximately 23 meteors can be seen per hour in a dark environment, in the absence of moonlight. This year, however, the moon will significantly block the view of the Orionids as it will transition between the full moon and its third quarter phase.
However, because the Orionids move so quickly, they can leave behind glowing “trails” that can last up to several minutes. This meteor shower can also produce exceptionally bright meteors known as “fireballs.”
To get the best observation opportunity, it is recommended that you get up early on the morning of October 20 or 21 and go to a dark place.
The ideal observation location should be a dark area without light pollution. For example, a deserted nature reserve may be preferred.
“Find a location away from city lights,” says Bill Cooke, leader of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. Take a blanket with you. Lie on your back and watch the sky as much as possible. “In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adjust and you will begin to see meteors.” he said.
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, point your feet towards the southeast, if in the Southern Hemisphere, point your feet towards the northeast.
Although the Orionids appear to come from the constellation Orion, do not fix your gaze directly on that constellation.
NASA notes that looking at areas 45 to 90 degrees away will make the Orionids appear longer.