The Orionids Meteor Shower Will Peak Tomorrow Night

Grab your blanket and a cup of something warm, because Minnesota is about to get one of the best sky shows of the year.

The Orionids meteor shower is reaching its peak this week, and for anyone who loves a good stargazing moment, this one’s worth staying up late for.

THE ORIONIDS PEAK NIGHT

The Orionids are active from early October through the first week of November, but the big show happens overnight on October 21st into the morning of the 22nd.

This year’s timing couldn’t be better. The moon will be completely dark, which means the sky will be at its deepest and clearest, giving us the best possible chance to see shooting stars streaking across it.

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COULD WE GET SOMETHING SPECIAL?

On a typical year, you can expect to see 10 to 20 meteors per hour, but there’s always the chance for something special. Back in 2006 through 2009, the Orionids surprised everyone with as many as 50 to 75 meteors an hour. Even if that doesn’t happen this time, the clear, moonless sky will make every streak of light stand out beautifully.

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WHERE ARE THE ORIONIDS COMING FROM?

The Orionids come from a familiar source: the famous Halley’s Comet. Every year, Earth passes through the trail of dust and debris that the comet leaves behind. When those tiny bits hit our atmosphere at about 41 miles per second, they burn up and create those fast, glowing streaks that make meteor showers so magical.

BEST VIEWING TIME

For Minnesotans hoping to catch the show, the best viewing time is after midnight and before dawn. Find a dark spot away from city lights, bundle up, and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. The meteors appear to come from the direction of the constellation Orion, but you don’t need to look right at it. The shooting stars can appear anywhere across the sky.

GET A FRONT ROW SEAT

This is one of those rare nights when nature gives us a free front-row seat to something amazing. Whether you’re watching from a lakeshore, a field, or your own backyard, take a few moments to look up and enjoy it. The next time the sky is this dark during the Orionids won’t be for several more years, so this is the perfect time to make a wish on a falling star.