Overview
- Peak activity is expected overnight Oct. 20–21 with strong rates into early Oct. 22, with best viewing from midnight to predawn.
- Typical rates are about 10–20 meteors per hour under dark skies, and occasional bright fireballs are possible.
- The meteors originate from Halley’s Comet and strike the atmosphere at about 41 miles (66 kilometers) per second.
- For best results, find a dark, open location, avoid telescopes, and allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust.
- Public viewing plans vary by location, with a Dubai Astronomy Group event at Al Qudra on Oct. 21, while Singapore’s Science Centre Observatory is not staging a special Orionid program.