Orionid meteor shower reaching peak activity Thursday evening

One of the most beautiful meteor showers, the Orionids, is expected to peak on Thursday, and the moon shouldn’t spoil the viewing.

According to NASA, the moderate meteor shower will produce around 10 to 20 meteors an hour when it reaches its peak on Oct. 20. Under clear, dark skies, the fireballs will appear to be moving fast. They should also leave a persistent trail that glows in the sky.

When to watch

The best way to watch the meteor shower on Thursday is to go outside just before midnight and face southeast. Remember to give yourself about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Viewing should be good for a few hours until the waning crescent moon rises a few hours later in the early morning.

Stargazers should watch the skies away from heavily populated areas for the best viewing.

What causes the Orionids?

The fireballs result from fragments of dust left behind by Comet Halley during one of its trips to the inner Solar System. The comet is also responsible for the Eta Aquarids and is visible every May.

If you miss the Orionids, don’t worry because the Leonids, known for their colorful, high-speed meteors, arrive in November.

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