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TWIN CITIES, MN – The Orionid meteor shower is still reaching its peak, but you should now search for the sky above Minnesota. By the time the peak arrives, an hour or two before the morning dawn of October 21, a shining and scathing moon – indicating that the moon is zooming – will hinder observation, but you should be able to see the meteors this week during the hours before dawn.
While the Orionids are generally modest in the number of meteors they produce – between 20 and 30 shooting stars – the shower is one of the most beautiful of the year as they are known for their brightness and speed, according to the NASA.
The weather forecast for Minnesota over the next few days encourages clouds to rise. The good news is that long-term forecasts predict clear skies when showers peak on October 21st.
Fast orionids travel about 150,000 km and can leave bright "trains", that is, glowing debris that can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Fast meteors also sometimes become fireballs, so be on the lookout for extended light explosions when you look at the Orionids, says NASA.
And there is another bonus.
"The Orionids are also framed by some of the brightest stars in the night sky, giving these meteors a spectacular backdrop," NASA wrote on its website.
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The Orionids are not the only meteors flying in the dawn sky at the present time.
If you see meteors in the northern sky, they could be remnants of Draconids, which peaked earlier this month. But if they arrive from the south, they can be part of the long taurid meteor shower, which began in September and continues until early December.
So, how will you know if you see shooting stars from the Orionid meteor shower? First, look to the eastern sky to locate Orion the hunter, one of the most remarkable constellations. The Orion Sword, slightly north of his left shoulder, is the radiant point of the shower (the Betelgeuse star). When you see a meteor, have it go back to Orion.
But do not look directly Orion.
"It's actually better to see the Orionids at a distance of 45 to 90 degrees from the radiant," says NASA. "They will appear longer and more spectacular from this point of view.If you look directly at the radiant, you will find that the meteors will be short-lived – it's a perspective effect called shortcut."
See also Patch 2018 Meteor Shower Guide, Celestial Events
If you wait for the Oct. 21 summit of the Orionids to search for meteors, you risk being disappointed, according to EarthSky.org, who said there would be only a brief window to see them in an hour or two before dawn. Meteors cross on October 29th.
Orionids are extremely fast, reaching around 150,000 km / h. The company can produce up to 80 meteors per hour, but it is not expected that 2018 will be a bright year, Cooke said. Instead, they will probably fly at a speed of 20 or 30 hours, he said.
Like Etar Aquarids in May, Orionids are produced by the debris left by Comet Halley, the most famous of all comets. Halley passes the sun every 76 years and was last seen on Earth in 1986 and will no longer be seen until 2062. The comet leaves behind a trail of debris in which the Earth engages twice during its orbit.
More meteor shower in 2018
If the Orionids are disappointed, there are even more chances to see meteors in 2018. If you can only catch one, go to mid-December with the Geminids. This is typically the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. Here is an overview of what lies ahead:
November 5-6: The Taurides meteor shower has been going on for a long time, from September 7th to December 7th. 10, and is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams – the first produced by the dust grains left by the asteroid 2004 TG10 and the second by the debris of Comet 2P Encke. It's a minor show, producing only 5 or 10 meteors an hour, and it's best to watch it after midnight. Meteors come from the constellation Taurus, but you should be able to see them anywhere in the sky.
November 17-18: The meteor shower Leonid will take place from November 6 to 30. It's an average rain offering up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak, but the Leonids has a cyclonic spike every 33 years where hundreds of shooting stars can be seen. The last time was in 2001. Although they are not as prolific as some other meteors, the meteors are extremely fast and move at a speed of about 44 miles per second, which increases the risk of fireball formation. The rain comes from the constellation Leo, but the meteors are visible from any point of the sky. It is produced by the dust particles left by the comet Tempel-Tuttle, discovered in 1865. The best viewing time is early in the morning and the sky should be quite dark thanks to a growing and scathing moon.
December 13-14: The Geminid meteor shower, which comes from the Gemini constellation, is usually the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its maximum. The shower runs from December 7 to 17 and is produced by the debris left by the Asteroid 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1982. The viewing conditions should be excellent as the first moon quarter will settle shortly after midnight, leaving a dark sky. The prime time is very early in the morning, but the Geminids are also active before midnight.
December 21-22: The last meteor shower of the year is minor and often neglected. The Ursides meteor shower, which will take place from December 17 to 25, produces between 5 and 10 meteors per hour, although occasional explosions produced 25 or more per hour. A full moon, however, will erase all except the brightest. The Ursids originate from the constellation Ursa Major and are produced by the dust particles left by the comet Tuttle discovered in 1790. The best viewing hours are after midnight.
Photo of Ethan Miller / Getty Images
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