Orionid meteor shower to dazzle onlookers as it peaks late this week

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather Staff Writer

October 17,2016; 10:30PM,EDT

 

 

Orionid meteors will streak across the night sky as the shower is set to peak late this week.
The Orionid meteor shower is a moderate shower that produces about 25 meteors per hour on the peak night.
"The Orionids are one of the top five meteor showers of the year and will bring the best chance to see a shooting star since the Perseids meteor shower in August," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Lada said.
It's predicted to showcase the greatest number of meteors on the night of Oct. 21 into the early morning of Oct. 22. However, it might be difficult to view due to clouds and a bright, waning gibbous moon, which will limit visibility.
"A large part of the country might be dealing with clouds," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tom Kines said.
It may be best to start watching now because of the potential cloud cover on the peak night, according to Lada. The Orionid meteors are usually at their best in the early hours before dawn.
"People in many areas in the eastern United States will not be able to see the Orionid meteor shower on the night that it peaks as a cold front will spread clouds and rain over the region," Lada said. "Clouds will also lead to poor viewing conditions across the Pacific Northwest as a system moves into the region."

However, clouds won't hide the shower from all skygazers.
"The best viewing conditions this year will be across the Plains and southwestern U.S.," Lada said.
The Orionid meteors, also known as shooting stars, are debris of ice and dust left behind by Comet Halley. The debris particles discarded by the comet plummet into the Earth's atmosphere. Sometimes the meteors leave a trail of ionized gas, which gives the appearance of a glowing streak.

"Occasionally, the Orionids produce fireballs, meteors that shine extremely bright for a few quick seconds before fading away," Lada said.
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The key to seeing a meteor shower is finding an unobstructed view where you are able to see as much sky as possible. Dark areas in the countryside and parks away from city lights are best.
If skygazers are unable to see the Orionids, a more notable meteor shower, the Geminids, will occur in December of 2016. It is usually the best meteor shower of the year. Stargazers may see as many as 120 meteors per hour at its peak, which can also bring multicolored meteors.