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Orionid meteor shower: When will it take place and what's the best way to see it? | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Dozens of shooting stars are set to light up the the night sky as Earth passes through debris of Halley's Comet. | Dozens of shooting stars are set to light up the the night sky as Earth passes through debris of Halley's Comet. |
The annual Orionid meteor shower, among the brightest events in the celestial calendar appear, peaks this weekend. | The annual Orionid meteor shower, among the brightest events in the celestial calendar appear, peaks this weekend. |
About 20 meteoroids every hour will blaze past at speeds of 148,000mph, (238,000kph) as they burn up in flashes of light that can be seen with the naked eye. | About 20 meteoroids every hour will blaze past at speeds of 148,000mph, (238,000kph) as they burn up in flashes of light that can be seen with the naked eye. |
Here's how to give yourself the best chance of watching the sky show: | Here's how to give yourself the best chance of watching the sky show: |
When can I see the Orionids? | When can I see the Orionids? |
The meteor shower usually lasts throughout October but it will peak this weekend between Friday 20 and Sunday 22 October. | The meteor shower usually lasts throughout October but it will peak this weekend between Friday 20 and Sunday 22 October. |
The best chance to see it will be on Sunday morning, between midnight and dawn, when the sky is darkest and the shower will be at its brightest. | The best chance to see it will be on Sunday morning, between midnight and dawn, when the sky is darkest and the shower will be at its brightest. |
Tom Kerss, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: "We expect the peak to occur on the night of 21/22 October when the young crescent Moon will set conveniently before the radiant of the shower - the point from which the meteors appear to spread out - rises in the east." | Tom Kerss, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: "We expect the peak to occur on the night of 21/22 October when the young crescent Moon will set conveniently before the radiant of the shower - the point from which the meteors appear to spread out - rises in the east." |
Where is the the best place to watch the shower? | Where is the the best place to watch the shower? |
The meteors are visible across the world and can be seen across the sky. | The meteors are visible across the world and can be seen across the sky. |
NASA advises looking for Orion's club - the stars that make up part of the Orion constellation - then diverting your eyes to a darker part of the sky nearby. | NASA advises looking for Orion's club - the stars that make up part of the Orion constellation - then diverting your eyes to a darker part of the sky nearby. |
"Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, though if you have to pick a direction, you might fare slightly better looking east," added Mr Kerss. | "Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, though if you have to pick a direction, you might fare slightly better looking east," added Mr Kerss. |
As with any stargazing you'll get the best views in the countryside, where there will be less light pollution than in cities. Find a secluded spot away from city lights, if possible, and lie back to watch the sky. | As with any stargazing you'll get the best views in the countryside, where there will be less light pollution than in cities. Find a secluded spot away from city lights, if possible, and lie back to watch the sky. |
Do I need to take anything? | Do I need to take anything? |
Nothing more than a coat or a blanket to keep you warm. | Nothing more than a coat or a blanket to keep you warm. |
Telescopes and binoculars won't offer you any advantage as the meteors will zip by too fast. | Telescopes and binoculars won't offer you any advantage as the meteors will zip by too fast. |
Mr Kerss said: "Your eyes are the best tool available for spotting meteors, so relax and gaze up at the sky, and eventually your patience will be rewarded." | Mr Kerss said: "Your eyes are the best tool available for spotting meteors, so relax and gaze up at the sky, and eventually your patience will be rewarded." |
He added: "Orionid meteors are known for their speed and brilliance, so if you persevere there's a good chance you'll see several bright 'shooting stars' zipping across the sky." | He added: "Orionid meteors are known for their speed and brilliance, so if you persevere there's a good chance you'll see several bright 'shooting stars' zipping across the sky." |
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