Celestial shows are among the most impressive phenomenons that nature has to offer. Meteors often engage in spectacular dances on the night sky, and perhaps the best part is that witnessing such a sight is free-of-charge. Otherwise, meteor showers couldn’t be so beautiful without anybody there to observe them.
The 2020 Orionid meteor shower is currently showing us, Earthlings, what is it made of, and we’ll get to see its peak later this month if we’re willing to take a seat for the celestial show.
Available until early November
The Orionids are classified as a major meteor shower, and the peak will be on October 20 and 21. Just like every year, there are a handful of Orionid meteors that can be seen per hour, which means many chances to spot some of the space rocks. In some years, the Orionids may even occur at rates of 50–70 per hour. However, you still won’t be affording too many moments of relaxation, as the meteors enter our atmosphere extremely fast: about 147,000 miles per hour, which means 66 kilometers per second.
As for the rest of the recommendations when it comes to taking a good look at the Orionids, they are pretty much the same as in the case of meteor showers in general: choose a dark spot where there are no city lights or any other luminous source around. Don’t look at your phone before looking at the sky, so that your eyes will be able to adjust quickly.
The Orionids meteor shower (aka the Orionids) is the most prolific meteor shower that’s associated with Halley’s Comet. The Orionids have received such a moniker because of the point they appear to come from lies in the constellation Orion.
Feel free to tell us about your own experiences and thoughts while watching the Orionids!
