Overview

• The peak is expected between Oct. 21 and 22 depending on location, with the most meteors typically seen after midnight through dawn as Orion climbs higher.
• Observers under dark, clear skies can expect roughly 10–20 meteors per hour, with northern Australia potentially approaching about 17 per hour and southern regions closer to 12.
• A new moon on Oct. 21 removes moonlight glare and improves contrast, though clouds and local light pollution will ultimately determine visibility.
• Orionid meteors originate from Halley’s Comet debris and strike the atmosphere at about 41 miles (66 km) per second, sometimes leaving glowing trains or producing bright fireballs.
• NASA advises finding a dark spot, lying back and allowing 20–30 minutes for eyes to adapt without using telescopes or phones, and skywatchers may also glimpse Comets Lemmon and SWAN after dusk and, as forecast suggests, possible aurora in northern U.S. states on Monday night.