A meteor shower will pass close to Earth this weekend, potentially creating a stunning display in the sky. During Orionids’ peak, you can see up to 23 meteors per hour.
In fact, a shooting star is a somewhat misleading term to describe what is actually happening. No stars will fall from the sky this weekend, but meteors will burn up in the atmosphere. The flash of visible light resembles a star rolling downward.
When do you see orionids?
We often see shooting stars, so what makes this weekend special? On Sunday, October 22, the Orionid meteors will reach their peak, causing more flaming meteors to be seen than usual. During a meteor shower, the Earth moves through the cloud of dust or debris left behind by the comet. The result is shooting stars.
Earlier this year, another meteor shower, the Perseids, produced more than sixty meteors per hour. Unfortunately, the orionids won’t be as spectacular. The swarm peaks on Sunday at 5 p.m., when the sun has not yet set. In addition, the weather is expected to change with clouds.
As a result, a maximum of eleven meteors per hour is likely to be visible. However, there is a bright spot for the avid stargazer: You can also spot meteors in the days before and after the Orionids peak. So keep an eye on the weather forecast and take a look outside in the evening. You only need a little respite — and a healthy dose of luck — to see some meteors this weekend.
Willick Van Doorn studied journalism, traveled the world for a while, and eventually ended up in the editorial offices of Quest, National Geographic, and Runner’s World across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. She is interested in the world, prefers to travel every month and always takes her running shoes with her.
