As seasoned meteor spotters will tell you, each meteor shower has its own peculiar characteristics. Earlier in the month, the Draconids were characterised by their slow-moving meteors. The Orionids, on the other hand, are zippy.
Barrelling into the atmosphere at about 66 km/s, they create swift, bright streaks that linger for a few moments after the meteor has passed. The chart shows the view looking east from London at 00.30 BST in the early hours of 22 October.
The Orionids themselves were once part of the tail of the famous Halley’s comet. Although rates can vary considerably, the shower typically delivers about 20 meteors an hour. These are usually bright meteors and sometimes spectacular fireballs.
Observing prospects this year are reasonably favourable. The moon will be a waning crescent, with about 30% of its visible surface illuminated, rising in the early morning hours. This will allow several hours of unhindered observation before 03.00 BST.
From the northern hemisphere, Orion rises just before midnight and climbs higher into the sky as the night becomes the morning. From the southern hemisphere, Orion will be visible even higher in the sky, so could provide better views than seen from the north.
