The Orionid Meteor Shower: How to See Debris from Halley’s Comet

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The famous Halley’s Comet has reached its farthest point from its host star, halfway through its approximately 76-year orbit of the Sun. In December 2023. A comet is not visible in the night sky Until 2061.

But the debris the comet leaves behind in its path — otherwise known as the Orionid meteor shower — causes meteorites to derail into Earth’s atmosphere.

During the peak from Sunday night into Monday, the rate is estimated at 10 to 20 meteors per hour. American Meteorological Society.

Fireball report coordinator Robert Lunsford said any time after midnight is the best time to see the Orionids — the region where the Orionids radiate, or where the meteors originate. American Meteorological Society. The view is now visible from all parts of the world except Antarctica where the sun is present Not setHe added.

But even days after peak activity, Orionides is still expected to produce similar meteors. “The Orianids have a kind of flat top — a plateau of activity,” Lunsford said. “So, if it’s cloudy on a particular (peak) night, the night after that should be pretty close to the same activity you see before.”

Later in October, a supermoon known as a hunting moon will interfere less with meteor viewing. The moon, which appears big and bright, reached its full phase on Thursday and will continue to do so down to At the end of the month. Try tracking meteors in the opposite direction from the Moon to avoid its reflected light, which can block the visibility of faint particles, Lunsford suggested. Orianids will be active until November 22.

As the Earth orbits the Sun, it encounters a trail of debris from Halley’s Comet Twice a year. The first occurs in May when particles from the comet’s outgoing leg cause the annual Eta Aquarids. A second path formed as Halley returns to the Sun from the outer Solar System forms the Orionids in October.

When the particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and form the meteors we see in the sky. Large particles can form meteors called fireballs, which are brighter than the planet Venus. According to NASA.

Particles from rocky and metallic asteroids sometimes hurtle toward Earth. MeteoritesLunsford said. But a comet composed of ice, frozen gases and rocks is usually too fragile to survive a trip through Earth’s atmosphere, he added.

For those who look to the sky to see meteors, NASA recommends You can sit outside for 30 minutes before adjusting your eyes in the dark. If you can make your vision High heightThe sky will be clear and the light from the low moon will be scattered, he said.

The best part of watching a meteor shower, he says, is “connecting with nature and being a part of the universe. Everything above is in motion. So no night is the same — everything has moved a little bit — and no year is the same.”

If you miss Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and its closest approach to Earth on October 12, NASA predicts you still have a chance to see the comet until early November. See the celestial wonder in the western part of the night sky after sunset.

Astronomers originally estimated that the comet would orbit after about 80,000 years, but October 14, Observational data revealed that the comet had a new path that would remove it from our solar system entirely.

There are two more full moons for 2024 – the Beaver Moon, a supermoon, on November 15 and the Cold Moon on December 15. According to Farmers Almanac.

Meanwhile, sky watchers can look forward to a busy meteor shower season that ends in 2024. Here are the peak dates for upcoming celestial activity. American Meteorological Society:

Southern Tarits: November 4-5

Northern Tarits: November 11-12

Leonidas: November 17-18

Geminids: December 13-14

Ursids: December 21-22