Those who wish to capture the Orionid meteor shower are in for a disappointing night thanks to the obtrusive light of the gibbous moon. Astronomers say that an ideal time to catch the shower will be this Thursday or Friday night and will be most visible from rural locations around 5 a.m.
Lackluster as the event may be, some are still hopeful to catch a few breathtaking dazzles streaking across the sky. The event will peak during the pre-dawn hours of Friday morning where an estimated 20 shooting stars per hour will brighten the night sky.
Stargazers From Northern And Southern Hemisphere Will See The Orionid Meteor Shower
"If you can stay up late enough, then you can catch a glimpse of it," said Jackie Faherty, an astronomer from the American Museum of Natural History. "Or alternatively just get up really, really early before sunrise."
And unlike many another meteor shower, the cosmic occurrence will be seen by stargazers from both the Northern and Southern hemisphere with an equal opportunity of catching the sight.
The Orionid's name is derived from its location as they appear to radiate from the direction of the Orion constellation. While Friday has been deemed to be the most optimal time to witness it, viewers will have a better opportunity on October 22, according to the Daily Mail.
This is due to the fact that the section of the sky in which the meteor appears to originate will ascend before the moon during that time. It will also persist until October 26, and some remnants will be visible even up to November 7 so stargazers have plenty of opportunities to take photographs and enjoy the celestial show.
Geminids To Brighten The Night Sky Come December
This yearly occurrence is often called as the "Legacy of Halley's Comet," as the meteors are the fragments of the comet's crumbling core. Halley's Comet passes through Earth every 75 years or so, and its last approach was in 1986, said the NY Times.
If the Orionid proves disappointing to some, do not fret yet. In December, another meteor shower called the Geminids is expected to illuminate the night sky with a spectacular 120 to 160 meteors per hour. Should the moon's bright glow again, astronomers say that stargazers will still be up for a good show.
