Prime Viewing: Catch the Orionid Meteor Shower at Its Peak

There is an opportunity to observe shooting stars and potentially fireballs during the annual Orionid meteor shower. This meteor shower takes place in October every year and is considered one of the more captivating meteor displays of the year. According to EarthSky, an astronomy website, the 2023 Orionid meteor shower began on September 26 and will continue until November 22, with the peak expected on October 21-22.

These meteors are a result of Earth's passage through the residual dust and debris left by Halley's Comet. It is a well-known comet with a long observational history, as noted by NASA. Halley's Comet also plays a part in creating the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, a celestial event that graces our skies each spring. NASA states that Comet Halley completes a single orbit around the Sun approximately every 76 years. The most recent sighting of Comet Halley by the general public occurred in 1986. Comet Halley is not expected to re-enter the inner solar system until the year 2061.

What sets the Orionid meteors apart are their brightness, speed, and distinctive streaks of light that can last for several seconds to minutes. This meteor shower is also known for occasionally producing fireballs, which are exceptionally bright meteors visible over a wide area.

For the best chance to see Orionid meteors, it is recommended to look towards the southeastern sky, about 45 to 90 degrees away from the constellation Orion, which gives this meteor shower its name. This angle will make the meteors appear longer and more captivating.

If locating Orion is challenging, you can use a stargazing app or simply face the southeastern sky and allow your eyes about half an hour to adjust to the darkness. It’s also suggested that you find a location free from the glare of urban lights for optimal viewing.

If you happen to spot a fireball, you have the option to report it online through the American Meteor Society, which contributes valuable data to our understanding of these celestial events.

June is here, and guess what? There are some cool astronomical events coming your way, right above you, as we transition from spring to summer. In June, there are several fascinating celestial events to look forward to. One notable event is the Summer solstice, which marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. It's the day with the longest daylight and shortest night of the year.

Additionally, June often brings a variety of meteor showers, such as the Arietids and the Bootids. These meteor showers offer the opportunity to witness shooting stars streaking across the night sky. Depending on your location and timing, there may be planets visible in the evening or morning sky, such as Jupiter, Saturn, or Venus.

Some people are deeply fascinated with the ever-changing phases of the moon and the breathtaking displays of meteor showers. For them, these celestial events are like magical experiences. These stargazing and astronomy enthusiasts eagerly mark their calendars, ready to immerse themselves in the beauty and wonder of these celestial phenomena whenever they occur.

Get ready to witness these four celestial happenings over the next few weeks.

We're in for a treat on June 3 at 11:42 p.m. It's going to be the brightest full moon of the season, which is called the Strawberry Moon. The name was given by the Algonquin tribes. It can be seen from the evening of Friday, June 2, all the way till the morning of Monday, June 5, as NASA says.

The Arietid meteor shower is happening, and it's going on until June 17. But here's the exciting part, it will reach its peak on June 7, says the International Meteor Organization (IMO). It's a daytime meteor shower, but spotting them might be a bit challenging. These meteors streak across the sky while the sun is shining. But no worries, NASA says if you're up for the challenge, try looking towards the Aries constellation right before dawn. You might just catch a few of these elusive shooting stars.

Also, coming up in June is the zeta Perseids. They're going to hit their peak on June 10, according to the IMO. Like many others, this meteor shower may be difficult to see. NASA says you should try gazing 5 degrees above the horizon at sunrise. You might be able to catch a few meteors streaking through the sky.

It's not only the official beginning of the summer season on June 21, but it's also one of the longest days of the year. It's called the summer solstice. This is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and starts heading south as the year goes on.