Quick Facts
- Zenithal Hourly Rate: 20, up to 50
- Peak Date: October 23
- Source: Comet 1P/Halley
- Speed: 41 miles (66 kilometers) per second
- 2025 Rating: ★★★★★
The Orionids are one of those meteor showers that is highly variable. Some years it’s a dud and other years it outperforms. At times the peak is later than predicted, and sometimes there are double peaks. But it’s a great time of year to be out under the stars. The nights are getting long again. In many places October is one of the clearest months of the year. The haze and smoke of summer is (probably) gone by now. And the temperatures aren’t too cold yet. Getting to see the namesake constellation of Orion is always a treat. Whether you’re out with a telescope, looking for meteors, or the northern lights, you won’t be disappointed with the views under a clear dark sky.
Source
Halley’s Comet is the source of not only this meteor shower, but the Eta Aquarids as well. This cosmic snowball is perhaps the most famous and consistent comet in history. It was first observed in 240 BC. Named after Edmond Haley, he was the first astronomer to predict its return using his friend Sir Isaac Newton’s laws. The orbital period is about the same as a human lifetime, averaging 76 years. The last return was in 1986, and the next return will be in 2061. Even if you never get to see the comet, you can see small pieces of it burning up in Earth’s atmosphere every year as the Orionid meteor shower.
Numbers and Speed
As mentioned above, Orionid activity is highly variable year to year. It’s probably best to keep expectations low with a zenithal hourly rate of 20. But elevated activity of 2-3x that is not uncommon. Outbursts have happened before, but not in hundreds of years. Orionids are one of the fastest meteors with a speed of 41 miles per second (150,000 mph). So don’t blink. The average Orionid meteor is faint, but there are fireballs mixed in which often leave persistent trains because of their high velocity. Also keep in mind there is overlap with the Taurids, which may make identifying meteors tricky.
Radiant
You won’t have any problem identifying the namesake constellation. Orion the Hunter is the most well known and easily recognizable constellation seen around the world. But the radiant of this meteor shower is actually located in between Orion and Gemini. The radiant will rise in the east between 11PM – 12AM, getting higher and higher until dawn. You will want to watch in the early morning hours as meteor activity will be nonexistent in the evening when the radiant is below the horizon. Because Orion is visible everywhere on the planet, this meteor shower is easily viewed in both hemispheres.
This Year
2025 is an excellent year for Orionids. The thin 2% waxing crescent moon will set 40 minutes after sunset on the 22nd. This leaves the entire night dark for the expected peak of the meteor shower on the morning of October 23rd. Because this meteor shower has a broad maximum, any night between the October 21st and 25th may have high meteor activity. Orionid meteors may be visible at lesser numbers anywhere from October 2nd to November 12th.
Viewing Tips
- Get to the darkest skies you can. Light pollution will drown out all but the brightest of meteors. Use the light pollution map or dark site list to find a viewing spot near you.
- Let your eyes adjust to the darkness. The longer you look the more stars and fainter meteors you’ll see. Any bright lights or phone screens will hinder your view. A dim red flashlight or headlamp is best for getting around.
- Turn off your headlights as soon as you park your car. Be considerate if other stargazers are around so you don’t ruin their view.
- A beach chair or camping chair that reclines will be the most comfortable. Otherwise laying flat on the ground on a blanket is fine. You want to take in as much sky as possible so you don’t miss anything.
- Bring warm clothes. You start to feel cold fast when you’re not moving.
- Hot chocolate or coffee is helpful for staying awake.
- Be patient. Meteors are often spaced unevenly. Sometimes 10 minutes may pass without seeing any and then suddenly there are 10 in a single minute.
- Head over to How to Photograph a Meteor Shower for more photography tips
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