Winnipeg 
One of October’s annual skywatching events returns this month as Earth travels through debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.
The Orionid meteor shower will peak overnight on Wednesday, October 21, into the early morning of Thursday, October 22, 2026, with the potential for 10 to 20 meteors per hour under favourable dark-sky conditions.
However, the Moon will make viewing more challenging this year, particularly during the evening and early nighttime hours.
What is the Orionid meteor shower?
The Orionids occur when Earth passes through debris scattered along the orbit of Halley’s Comet.
As tiny particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and produce bright streaks of light commonly called shooting stars.
The Orionids are known for their speed, travelling at approximately 66 kilometres per second. Some leave glowing trails that linger briefly after the meteor has disappeared.
The shower gets its name from the constellation Orion, where its meteors appear to originate. However, shooting stars can appear anywhere across the sky.
When is the best time to see the Orionids in 2026?
The Orionids are active from October 2 to November 7, 2026, with peak activity expected overnight on October 21 and 22.
The best viewing opportunity in Canada will generally be after the Moon sets and before morning twilight begins on October 22.
Although meteors can appear earlier in the evening, Orion rises higher in the sky through the night, improving viewing conditions toward morning.
For anyone planning a viewing trip, the hours before sunrise offer the better opportunity.
How will moonlight affect the Orionid meteor shower in 2026?
Unlike 2025, when the peak coincided with a New Moon, the 2026 Orionids will face considerable interference from moonlight.
The Moon will be in its waxing gibbous phase, approximately 75% to 80% illuminated around the peak.
This matters because moonlight brightens the night sky, making faint meteors much harder to see. Even from a rural location away from streetlights, observers may miss many of the smaller shooting stars while the Moon remains above the horizon.
Brighter meteors should still be visible, but the number spotted could be considerably lower than the advertised 10 to 20 per hour.
The good news is that the Moon will set before dawn, creating a relatively short period of darker skies.
For example, in Toronto, the Moon is expected to set at approximately 3:32 a.m. EDT on October 22. This leaves a window before dawn to watch without direct moonlight.
Moonset times vary across Canada, so check the timing for your location before planning a trip.
Where can you watch the Orionids in Canada?
The Orionids are visible across Canada, provided skies are clear.
For the best chance of spotting meteors:
- Get away from city lights: Rural areas, dark-sky preserves and locations away from major highways generally offer better viewing conditions.
- Find an open viewing area: Choose somewhere with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky, away from trees and buildings.
- Watch after moonset: This is particularly important in 2026 because the bright Moon will hide many fainter meteors.
- Look toward Orion, but scan the entire sky: The meteors radiate from near Orion, but they can streak across any part of the sky.
- Allow your eyes to adjust: Spend approximately 30 minutes away from bright lights and phone screens.
- Give yourself enough time: Plan to watch for at least an hour, rather than expecting meteors to appear continuously.
No telescope or binoculars are necessary. The Orionids are best observed with the naked eye.
You can explore potential viewing locations using a light-pollution map. Also check clear sky conditions and cloud cover before you travel.
How many shooting stars will you actually see?
Under ideal dark skies, the Orionids typically produce around 10 to 20 meteors per hour near their peak.
That does not mean everyone will see a meteor every three to six minutes.
Actual numbers depend on cloud cover, artificial lighting, moonlight, sky visibility and how long someone spends watching.
NASA suggests observers in suburban areas with some ambient light may see approximately three to six meteors per hour during the 2026 peak, with somewhat higher numbers possible in darker locations.
The best approach is to treat the Orionids as a relaxed skywatching outing rather than expecting a continuous display of shooting stars.
Bring warm clothing, a reclining chair or blanket, and a red-filtered flashlight. October nights can be cold across much of Canada, especially when sitting outdoors for extended periods.
Orionid Meteor Shower 2026 at a Glance
- Active dates: October 2 to November 7, 2026
- Peak: Night of October 21 into October 22
- Best viewing: After moonset and before dawn, October 22
- Typical meteor rate: 10 to 20 per hour under favourable dark skies
- Moon phase: Waxing gibbous, approximately 75% to 80% illuminated near the peak
- Visibility: Across Canada, weather permitting
- Equipment needed: None
- Origin: Debris from Halley’s Comet
