Orionid meteor shower peaks this week with shooting stars

Published 1d ago · Latest report 1h ago

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Catch up to 20 shooting stars per hour during the peak of the Orionid meteor shower this week.

Stargazers can spot up to 20 meteors per hour during the peak of the annual Orionid shower this week. The celestial display occurs as Earth crosses the orbital path and debris trail of Halley's comet. Observers should head outside in the pre-dawn hours for the best view.

The sourceThe debris creating the shooting stars comes from Halley's comet.
The frequencyObservers can expect to spot between 10 and 20 fragments every hour.
The timingThe celestial display reaches its maximum activity during the pre-dawn hours this week.

Why it matters

Annual meteor showers like the Orionids offer amateur astronomers a chance to view cosmic debris burning up in Earth's atmosphere without needing specialized equipment. These recurring celestial events help scientists track dust distribution along ancient comet orbits.

By the numbers1

20fragments per hour

How outlets cover it

What outlets agree on

The Orionid meteor shower is reaching its peak this week, created by dust left behind by Halley's comet, and viewers can spot a dozen or more meteors every hour in the early morning sky.

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