STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dubbed one of the best meteor showers of the fall season, the Orionid meteor shower will peak this weekend.
Orionids are named after Orion, because the meteors emerge or radiate from the same area in the sky as the Orion constellation. They are made up of debris from the famous Halley’s Comet.
Here’s what you need to know about the meteor shower.
WHEN TO SEE IT
The Orionids will peak on Sunday night, Oct. 21, into early Monday morning, Oct. 22, but stargazers should be able to see some meteors on Friday and Saturday night.
The best time to view the shower will be between midnight and 4 a.m., and when dawn begins.
“Activity is expected to be a little higher this year than in years past with 20 to 25 meteors per hour, but bright moonlight will be an issue,” said Dave Samuhel, AccuWeather.com astronomy blogger.
According to Accuweather.com, the nearly full moon will be shining brightly in the sky for most of the night and will make it hard to see some of the dimmer meteors.
HOW TO VIEW IT
You don't need any special equipment or skills to view a meteor shower. Find a secluded viewing spot away from city lights.
Dress for the weather and make sure you’re comfortable if you plan to stay out long. Some suggest bringing a blanket or chair with you, as meteor watching can be a waiting game.
You can also use Timeanddate.com’s Interactive Meteor Show Sky Map to find the current direction of a meteor shower in the sky.
WHERE TO LOOK IN THE SKY
While the meteors will originate near Orion, they will be visible in all areas of the sky.
If you’re trying to view the meteor shower while the moon is above the horizon, try to focus on an area of the sky away from the moon, according to Accuweather.com.
IF YOU MISS IT
If you miss the Orionids, the next meteor shower will light up the night sky in November.
The Northern Taurids will bring around five meteors an hour during its peak night from Nov. 11-12. It can also overlap another meteor shower, the Southern Taurids, which can bring a few extra shooting stars.
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