The Orionids are back, promising views of a spectacular meteor shower this weekend. Stargazers can eagerly look skyward starting on Sunday and continuing through the week of Oct. 20th, according to a recent report from the American Meteor Society.
The Orionid meteor shower — often known as “the Orionids” for short — occurs every year thanks to Halley’s Comet. Although the famous celestial object only passes Earth once every 72 to 80 years (and is due again in mid-2061), it leaves an annual trail of meteor showers known as Orionids. The Orionids were technically visible in 2024 starting as early as Sept. 26th, but viewing conditions have not been ideal until this week. Even now, however, a waning gibbous moon will still somewhat impede viewing conditions.
