The Orioides meteor shower approaches its peak over the next two nights. At the best of times, you can see a dozen or more “shooting stars” per hour – bright sparks in the sky.
These sparks are remnants of Halley’s Comet. When it approaches the Sun, some of the ice on its surface vaporizes. This releases solid particles of rock and dust. Those pieces of debris spread across Halley’s path.
Earth crosses this path a couple of times each year. When it does, it sweeps away some of the comet’s dust. The particles hit the atmosphere at tens of thousands of miles per hour. They quickly vaporize, forming the bright stars known as meteors.
The brightness and duration of each meteor depends on the size and composition of the particle. Larger particles form brighter trails. The brightest are made up of pieces of debris the size of a plum or larger. But most are no bigger than pebbles.
Oronids are not named after Halley’s Comet. Instead, the name indicates where the meteors appear to enter the atmosphere, near a star in Orion. But you don’t have to look up to the constellation to see meteors: they can blaze anywhere in the sky.
To watch the shower, find a dark, safe place away from city lights. The best viewing time is in the pre-dawn hours. The Moon will be in view for part of this time, but it is a waning crescent, so most of the meteors will be bright.
Screenplay by Damond Benningfield