How to see the Orionid meteor shower from Friday
The Orionid meteor shower is currently active and expected to peak between October 21 and 22. Caused by debris from Halley's Comet, the event offers viewers the chance to see 10 to 20 meteors per hour without specialized equipment.
Why it matters
It provides a rare, accessible opportunity for the public to engage with astronomical phenomena and learn about solar system history.
Image source, NurPhoto/Getty Images By Emily Wood BBC Weather Published 30 September 2026 Updated 44 minutes ago One of the best-known meteor showers is now active until 7 November.
The Orionids are particularly fast and can leave trails in the sky that last a few seconds after the meteor itself has gone.
The display occurs at around the same time each year when the Earth passes through a trail of dust and debris left behind by Halley's Comet.
The showers peak overnight from 21 to 22 October.
The Orionids are particularly fast, entering the atmosphere at around 41 miles per second.
As tiny particles from Halley's comet enter the Earth's atmosphere they heat up and produce streaks of light across the night sky that we see as meteors.
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