Shooting stars from Halley's Comet light up the sky this week. Here is how to watch.
The Orionids peak on the night of October 21 into October 22. The shower stays active until November 7.
Each streak is a tiny bit of comet dust burning up in the air. Most are pea-sized or smaller.
Halley last visited in 1986. It will not return until 2061. Its dust visits us every year.
Under dark skies you can see 10 to 20 meteors per hour. That is about one every 3 to 4 minutes.
Orionids hit the air at 66 km per second. Some leave glowing trails that hang for seconds or minutes.
The Moon is about 80% lit on peak night. It sets in the early hours. Watch after it sets.
The best window is after the Moon sets, about 2:30 to 3:30 a.m. local time, until dawn.
Find a dark park or garden. Lie back and look up. No telescope is needed.
Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes in the dark. Keep your phone screen off.
The meteors come from near the star Betelgeuse. But they cross the whole sky. Scan wide.
Times, viewing tips, and the science behind the shower. Free on Rive News.
Get the full breakdown, key numbers, and what happens next.
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