Peak rate
20
meteors per hour at peak
UpcomingOct 2 – Nov 7
The Orionids
The other Halley's Comet shower; fast bright meteors.
Peak: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Countdown to peak
176days
Velocity
66
km/s entering atmosphere
Radiant
Orion
near Betelgeuse
Best for
Both
hemispheres
Where to look
Meteors radiate outward from a single point on the sky. Face Orion, then keep the radiant in your peripheral vision.
RA 85°right ascension
Dec 0°declination
Equatorialvisible worldwide
Where it comes from
Parent body
Comet 1P/Halley
The comet or asteroid whose dust Earth passes through each year.
First recorded
1839
Earliest documented observation.
Entry velocity
66 km/s
Speed at which meteoroids hit the atmosphere.
How to watch
Radiant
Orion (near Betelgeuse)
The apparent point of origin — meteors streak outward from here.
Best viewing time
After midnight
When the radiant is highest above the horizon.
Hemisphere
Both — visible worldwide
Latitude bands that see the highest rates.
Did you know
Earth passes through Halley's dust stream twice a year — Orionids in October, Eta Aquariids in May.
Watching guide
Tailored for the Orionids.
- 1Get away from city lights
Light pollution hides most meteors. A rural or dark-sky site boosts your count by 5× or more.
- 2Dark-adapt for 20–30 minutes
Your eyes need time to reach peak sensitivity. No phone screens during this window — use a red flashlight if needed.
- 3Aim for the best time: after midnight
Earth turns into the debris stream during these hours, so meteors hit head-on and appear more frequent.
- 4No telescope, no binoculars
Meteors appear all over the sky — you want the widest view possible. A reclining chair and a blanket are better tools than optics.
Next shower after Orionids
Eta Aquariids · peaks May 6