Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a casual stargazer, the Orionid meteor shower offers a breathtaking celestial event not to be missed.
Halley’s Comet and Its Trail
The Orionid meteor shower comes from small fragments of Halley’s Comet (also known as 1P/Halley), which is currently far from Earth.
The comet won’t be visible again until 2061, but each year, as Earth crosses its orbital path, debris from the comet collides with our atmosphere at speeds of around 148,000 miles per hour, creating stunning streaks of light.
The meteor shower is named after the Orion constellation because the radiant point, or the area in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate, lies near Orion.
Halley’s Comet Discovery
Halley’s Comet was first recorded by Chinese astronomers in 239 BC, though it wasn’t until English astronomer Edmond Halley in the 18th century that it was recognized as a periodic event. He correctly predicted the comet’s return, and as a result, the comet was named in his honor.
