🇮🇳 Trending in India · 21 October 2026
What is the Orionid meteor shower?
What are the Orionids?
The Orionids are a meteor shower that comes back every year. Each time Earth passes through a stream of dust left by Halley's Comet, the grains burn up in our atmosphere and we see them as 'shooting stars'. The shower is named after the constellation Orion, because the meteors seem to come from a point there called the radiant. That point is just north of Orion's bright star Betelgeuse.
The Halley's Comet connection
Halley's Comet (official name 1P/Halley) takes about 76 years to go around the Sun once. Each time it comes near the Sun, it sheds ice and rocky dust. Earth crosses this dust twice a year, so Halley gives us two meteor showers: the Eta Aquariids in May and the Orionids in October. The comet itself was last seen up close in 1986, and its next closest approach to the Sun is expected on 28 July 2061.
Fast and bright meteors
Orionid meteors are known for being bright and fast. They hit Earth's atmosphere at about 66 km per second (around 41 miles per second). Sometimes they make fireballs, which are extra-bright meteors, or leave glowing trails that stay visible for a moment.
When and how to watch in 2026
The shower runs from October 2 to November 7, and the peak night is October 21–22. Under a dark sky you can see about 10 to 20 meteors an hour, and in rare years 50 to 70. This year a bright waxing Moon will wash out many meteors, so the best time is the dark hours before dawn, after the Moon has set. You don't need a telescope, just a dark place away from city lights and some patience.
Quick points
Quick quiz
1. The Orionid meteor shower comes from the dust of which comet?
2. Which other yearly meteor shower also comes from Halley's Comet?
3. When is Halley's Comet next expected to make its closest approach to the Sun?
