2023-10-21 15:00:05
On Sunday, around 8:05 p.m., the Orionid meteor shower should begin to peak, CNN reports.
This text is a translation of an article from CTV News.
This meteor shower began on September 26 and is expected to continue until November 22, but the best time to view the meteors is this weekend, according to a NASA blog post. For northern hemisphere skywatchers, the best time to see the swarm is early Monday morning, just after midnight, NASA says.
Throughout the evening, the phenomenon is expected to produce around 23 meteors per hour.
“The Orionids, which peak each year in mid-October, are considered one of the most beautiful swarms of the year,” read the NASA message. “Orionid meteors are known for their brightness and speed.”
Meteors travel at about 166,000 km/h in Earth’s atmosphere, according to NASA.
Canadians are encouraged to view meteors under dark, moonless skies and away from light pollution.
Where do the Orionids come from?
The meteors come from a trail of dust particles from Halley’s Comet, which only enters orbit every 76 years. The next time we expect to see the comet is in 2061.
Halley’s Comet was last seen in 1986, but during its passes near Earth, its core expelled ice and rocky debris leaving a trail in space.
“The dust grains ultimately become the Orionids in October and the Eta Aquarids in May if they collide with Earth’s atmosphere,” the NASA message said.
NASA adds that people should observe the night sky for about 30 minutes beforehand to allow their eyes to adjust to the light before the meteor shower.
“Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet pointing southeast if you’re in the northern hemisphere… and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible,” the post reads .
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