Halley’s comet won’t be visible until 2061 — that’s 37 years away! But in the meantime, we’re sometimes treated to the debris this well-known comet leaves in its trail. Don’t let the word “debris” fool you. While it may not sound like a beautiful sight to behold, debris from comets turn into meteors when they enter the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, we were treated to quite a spectacular meteor shower the last couple of nights.
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Although we can expect to get a number of visible meteor showers in a year, only two of them originate from Halley’s comet. May is the first month we can expect this celestial event. The second takes place in October — this meteor shower is also called Orionids. You can learn more about it in the video below!
@museumofscience Why are the Orionids known to be one of the most beautiful meteor showers? These showers peak with 10-20 meteors per hour, which can leave trails across the sky that last for minutes! #MeteorShower #Space #Stargazing #NightSky #Astrophotography #Orionids #SkyWatching ♬ original sound – Museum of Science
With 10 to 20 meteors visible per hour, this was quite a visible event. While it’s too late to view this one in person, lots of folks were kind enough to share the images they managed to get of the meteor shower. The image below is a perfect example!
Although it’s too late to view this year’s Orionids, it’s never too soon to start preparing for next time. When it comes to viewing celestial events, there tend to be a few things to keep in mind. For starters, it can be helpful to head outside ahead of the event. This way, your eyes can adjust to the darkness. As a result, you’ll have a better chance of getting an in-person view like below!
Orionids Meteor Shower Provides Spectacular Views
Spending your weekend outdoors? Keep your eyes out for the Orionids meteor shower!
— NASA (@NASA) October 18, 2024
A few Orionids could be viewable late Saturday and Sunday nights into the predawn. Even if they don't show, it may still be a good time for moonwatching. Get the details: https://t.co/1rbZ2GPqL3 pic.twitter.com/71kx7Gmj0X
When trying to get a good view of just about any celestial event, finding a location with little light is always key. Heading to a location with a higher altitude can also help with this greatly. The reason why is because, at higher altitudes, the sky is clearer because moonlight scatters less.
Saw the comet (faintly) and a little bit of the orionids meteor shower from the light polluted roof of my house tonight pic.twitter.com/z0qLjVlBbT
— FrickinKirby (@Kirbys_Crafts) October 19, 2024
How cool are meteor showers!? They’re some of the best light shows we can possibly get. And thanks to social media, we don’t even have to head outside to get the best views. With that said, a big thanks to the folks who shared their stunning photos for the rest of us to enjoy!
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!
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