When & Where to See Orionid Meteor Shower 2023

During the mornings from September to November 22 of 2023, enjoy a display of meteor showers made up of debris shed by Halley’s Comet – you can expect to see as many as twenty Orionids per hour.

When to See the Orionid Meteor Shower

Earth crosses the Halley’s comet’s debris cloud every year. Orionid meteors appear every year around October to Early November with a peak of around October 20 – 22 when Earth travels through an area of space littered with debris from Halley’s Comet.

Astronomy Calendar – 2023

WHEN: September 26 to November 22 of 2023 with a peak during predawn hours (between midnight and dawn) of October 21 (Night of October 20), October 22 (Night of October 21), 2023.



How & Where to see Orionid Meteor Shower:

Moon:

During the peak shower days, the moon is a waxing crescent at about 32 to 43 percent illumination and will set by midnight. Hence, if the sky is clear, you have ample time to view the meteor shower during predawn hours. You might be able to see 15 to 20 meteors an hour.

Where to See:

The best way to see it is to get away from city lights, preferably to Dark Sky Preserves. If not, visit open clear sky areas (so that you have a 360 deg view of the sky) away from city lights (where you can typically see a million stars on a clear starry night) and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion (southwestern sky). The shower appears to radiate from Orion’s belt. The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.

You can see the shower with the naked eye and do not need astronomy equipment. Make sure you switch off the phone, and your eyes need ~ 30 minutes to get adjusted to the dark. Make sure you have an hour to observe. If you are carrying a flashlight, cover it with red cellophane wrap or some kind of red filter, so that it doesn’t interfere with viewing.

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Screengrab: DarkSiteFinder Light Pollution Map.

To find reasonably dark areas near your location, check the darkskyfinder map. Search for a park (or a safe place with no streetlights and away from roads/traffic) within the areas coloured dark (mustard) yellow, green, blue, grey or black (transparent). (Before travelling, please check cloud cover.)

Don’t forget to dress for the weather!

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