How to catch the Orionid meteor shower from Australia
A meteor shower will hit southern skies this week, following in the wake of a famous comet. Here’s the best way to see it yourself.
The annual Orionid meteor shower will be visible from Australia this week, with a new moon providing excellent conditions to see it.
Each October, Earth passes through the debris left in the wake of Halley’s Comet. While Halley’s Comet is only visible every 75 years, the Orionid is one of two meteor showers caused by the trail of dust and gas the comet leaves behind, offering a stunning sight for stargazers.
This year, the best time to catch the celestial show will be October 21 and October 22, with multiple meteors visible per hour from the night sky in all Australian states.
However, the meteors will still likely be visible up until November 7, so you have a bit more time to plan to see the spectacle.
The Orionid meteor shower isn’t the only cosmic event happening right now, though.
Comets Lemmon and SWAN will also be visible from Earth this week, so you can attempt to spot them alongside the Orionids.
The two comets have respective orbits of 1350 and 20,000 years, so now is the time to see them.
When can I see the Orionid meteor shower in Australia?
The best predicted time to see the meteors is the early hours of the morning on October 22, when earth will pass through the thickest part of Halley’s trail of debris.
While you might need to make allowances for cloud cover, this is the ideal time to check out the meteor shower.
Where can I spot the meteor shower?
If you’re stargazing after midnight, you’ll be able to spot the meteors by looking north-east towards the Orion constellation, which Aussies often refer to as The Saucepan.
Below this constellation, you can find Orion’s shoulder star, which is called Betelgeuse.
The “radiant point” of the meteor shower is just below Betelguese, which you’ll be able to see given it’s one of the brightest stars in the sky.
What time should I watch the meteor shower?
The “radiant point” will rise at about 12am, wherever you are in the country. This is a good time to look out for the meteor shower.
However, if a midnight stargazing session is unrealistic for you, the radiant point of the Orionids will be visible up until around sunrise, so you can get up really early and still get a good view (maybe 4am or 5am).
How many meteors can I expect to see?
An average of 15 meteors will be visible each hour, but they won’t come in any kind of pattern.
You’ll have to wait patiently to spot them after you’ve let your eyes adjust to the dark.
Will I be able to see Halley’s Comet?
Unfortunately, no.
While Halley’s Comet is one of the best-known comets, it still only becomes visible from earth every 75 years. It was last seen in 1986, so we’re expecting it again in 2061.
How can I spot Comet Lemmon?
Lemmon will reach its closest point to Earth tonight, and will be most visible 90 minutes after sunset in the northwest direction, or 90 minutes before sunrise in the northeast direction.
It’s predicted to be visible to the naked eye, weather permitting, but binoculars will definitely help.
How can I spot Comet SWAN?
SWAN will be most visible in a western direction just after sunset, near the bright star Spica.
It’s predicted to be only just visible to the naked eye, so grab your binoculars for a better view.
Originally published as How to catch the Orionid meteor shower from Australia
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