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The Orionid meteor shower is still building toward its peak, but you should search the skies over Colorado now. By the time the peak arrives an hour or two before dawn on the morning of Oct. 21, a bright waxing gibbous moon — that means the moon is getting larger — will interfere with viewing, but you should be able to see meteors this week during the predawn hours.
While the Orionids are typically 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 because they are known for their brightness and speed, according to NASA.
The weather forecast in Colorado over the next several days calls for clear skies. The long-range forecast calls for partly cloudy skies overnight when the shower peaks on Oct. 21.
The fast-moving Orionids travel at about 148,000 miles and can leave glowing “trains” — that is, incandescent bits of debris that can last for several seconds to minutes. Fast meteors also sometimes become fireballs, so be on the lookout for prolonged explosions of light when you’re viewing the Orionids, NASA says.
And there’s another bonus.
“The Orionids are also framed by some of the brightest stars in the night sky, which lend a spectacular backdrop for these showy meteors,” NASA wrote on its website.
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The Orionids aren’t the only meteors flying in the predawn sky right now.
If you’re seeing meteors in the northern sky, they could be leftovers from the Draconids, which peaked earlier this month. But if they’re coming from the south, they may be part of the long-lasting Taurid meteor shower, which started in September and continues into early December.
So, how will you know if your’re seeing shooting stars from the Orionid meteor shower? First, look up at eastern sky to locate Orion the Hunter, one of the most conspicuous constellations. Orion’s sword, slightly north of his left shoulder, is the shower’s radiant point (the star Betelgeuse). When you see a meteor, trace it back to to Orion.
But don’t stare directly at Orion.
“It is actually better to view the Orionids from 45 to 90 degrees away from the radiant,” NASA says. “They will appear longer and more spectacular from this perspective. If you do look directly at the radiant, you will find that the meteors will be short—this is an effect of perspective called foreshortening.”
See Also: Patch 2018 Guide To Meteor Showers, Celestial Events
If you wait until the Orionids’ Oct. 21 peak to look for meteors, you’re likely to be disappointed, according to EarthSky.org, which said there will be only a brief window to see them in the hour or two before dawn. The meteors fly through Oct. 29.
The Orionids are extremely fast, whizzing by at about 148,000 mph. The can produce up to 80 meteors an hour, but 2018 isn’t expected to be an outburst year, Cooke said. Instead, they’ll probably fly at a rate of 20 or 30 an hour, he said.
Like the Eta Aquarids in May, the Orionids are produced by debris left behind by Comet Halley, the most famous of all comets. Halley swings by the sun every 76 years and was last seen on Earth in 1986 and won’t be seen again until 2062. The comet leaves behind a debris trail, which the Earth plows into twice a year during its orbit.
More Meteor Showers In 2018
If the Orionids disappoint, there are several more chances to see meteor showers in 2018. If you can catch only one of them, make it the Geminids in mid-December. It is typically the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors an hour at its peak. Here’s a look at what’s ahead:
Nov. 5-6: The Taurids meteor shower is long running, from Sept. 7-Dec. 10, and is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams — the first produced by dust grains left behind by Asteroid 2004 TG10, and the second by debris from Comet 2P Encke. It’s a minor show, producing only about 5 or 10 meteors an hour, and is best viewed after midnight. The meteors originate from the constellation Taurus, but you should be able to see them anywhere in the sky.
Nov. 17-18: The Leonid meteor shower runs from Nov. 6-30. It’s an average shower offering up to 15 meteors an hour at its peak, but the Leonids has a cyclonic peak every 33 years where hundreds of shooting stars can be seen. The last time that happened was in 2001. Though not as prolific as some other meteor showers, the meteors are extremely fast, moving at a speed of about 44 miles per second, which increases the chances of fireballs. The shower originates from the constellation Leo, but meteors can be seen from any point in the sky. It is produced by dust grains left behind by the comet Tempel-Tuttle, discovered in 1865. The best viewing time is in the early morning, and skies should be fairly dark thanks to a waxing gibbous moon.
Dec. 13-14: The Geminid meteor shower, which originates from the constellation Gemini, is typically the best of the year, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors an hour at its peak. The shower runs from Dec. 7-17, and is produced by debris left behind by the asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, discovered in 1982. Viewing conditions should be excellent because the first quarter moon will set shortly after midnight, leaving dark skies. The peak viewing times are in the early morning hours, but the Geminids also are active before midnight.
Dec. 21-22: The year’s final meteor shower is a minor one, and it’s often overlooked. The Ursids meteor shower, which runs Dec. 17-25, produces about 5 to 10 meteors an hour, although occasional outbursts have produced 25 or more an hour. A full moon will wash out all but the brightest, however. The Ursids originate from the constellation Ursa Minor, and are produced by dust grains left behind by the comet Tuttle discovered in 1790. The best viewing times are after midnight.
By Beth Dalbey, Patch National Staff
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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