October 18, 2012

Watch the Orionid Meteor Shower This Weekend

Posted by Brenna Malmberg

This weekend, check out the Orionid Meteor Shower. Source: NASA Images

Get ready to rise and shine this weekend to watch a meteor shower. The Orionid Meteor Shower comes around each fall as the Earth passes through debris from Halley’s Comet.

On Sunday, Oct. 21 at sunrise, catch the peak of the shower, with 25 meteors per hour. You can also catch them from Oct. 20-22 from 1 a.m. until sunrise if you are busy that other peak morning.

Wondering how to find these meteors? Luckily, you just need to look for the Orion constellation. That's one even I know. (It's the one with the three stars that make a belt.) The meteors burst near the constellation.

Find the belt; find the meteors. Source: NASA Images

This year, limited moonlight will allow for more gorgeous views than usual, according to Bill Cooke, the head of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. I am going to trust the NASA expert on this one by checking out the sights this weekend. Cooke recommends heading out with a blanket one to two hours before sunrise. While laying with a wide view of the sky, you will see quite a show.

If you watch, let me know what you think.


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