Ever wanted to see a piece of the most famous comet in history? This October, you can. The Orionid meteor shower offers a spectacular celestial show, and it comes from Halley's Comet. Here’s everything you need to know to catch the magic.
What Are the Orionids?
The Orionid meteor
shower is an annual event that occurs when Earth passes through the stream of debris left behind by Halley's Comet (1P/Halley). While the comet itself only visits the inner solar system every 76 years—its next appearance is in 2061—it leaves a dusty trail along its orbit. When our planet crosses this path, tiny particles of ice and dust, many no bigger than a grain of sand, hit our atmosphere at incredible speeds—about 66 kilometres per second—and burn up, creating the streaks of light we call meteors or 'shooting stars'. This makes the Orionids one of two meteor showers created by Halley's Comet, the other being the Eta Aquariids in May.
When and Where to Watch in 2026
The Orionid meteor shower will peak on the night of October 21-22, 2026. While the shower is active from early October to late November, your best chance to see the highest number of meteors is during the peak. The most ideal time to watch is in the hours after midnight until dawn. In 2026, viewing will be affected by a bright waxing gibbous moon, which will be about 80-87% full. However, the moon is expected to set a few hours before dawn, opening a window of dark sky perfect for meteor watching. Aim to be outside between 3 a.m. and sunrise for the best possible show with minimal moonlight interference. The shower is visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
How to Prepare for the Best View
You don't need a telescope or binoculars; the best tool is your own eyes, as you'll want to take in as much of the sky as possible. First, get away from city and street lights. Light pollution drastically reduces the number of meteors you can see, so a rural or dark-sky location is best. Second, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. It takes about 20-30 minutes for your vision to fully adapt. Avoid looking at your bright phone screen, as it will ruin your night vision. Finally, get comfortable. Bring a blanket or a reclining lawn chair so you can lie back and look up without straining your neck. Remember to check the weather forecast for clear skies before you head out.
What to Actually Expect
Under ideal, dark-sky conditions, you can expect to see around 15 to 25 meteors per hour during the peak. It’s important to set realistic expectations—this isn’t a constant firework display. There will be lulls in activity, so patience is key. The Orionids are known for being very fast, and they can often leave persistent, glowing trails that linger for a few seconds after the meteor has vanished. Occasionally, the shower produces exceptionally bright meteors known as fireballs, which can light up the entire sky for a moment. These are rare but truly spectacular sights.
Why Are They Called the Orionids?
Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear to radiate. For the Orionids, this point—called the radiant—is located in the constellation Orion the Hunter, near its bright, reddish star Betelgeuse. However, you don't need to stare directly at Orion. In fact, it's better not to. Meteors appearing close to the radiant have short trails and are harder to spot. For the best view, look about 45 to 90 degrees away from the radiant; the meteors you see will have longer, more dramatic trails as they streak across the sky. So, just lie back, look up at the darkest part of the sky, and enjoy the show.
