Orionid meteor shower to peak above Suffolk on October 21

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 16:49 · Archive

The Orionid meteor shower, made of debris from Halley's Comet, will peak above Suffolk on the night of Wednesday, October 21.

The Orionid meteor shower will peak above Suffolk on the night of Wednesday, October 21, between midnight and dawn. The meteors are pieces of Halley's Comet, which passes by Earth once every 75 years. As the comet follows its path around the Sun, it leaves a trail of debris that enters the atmosphere at speeds of around 41 miles per second.

The shower is active from October 2 until November 7, but will reach its peak on October 21. The meteors will appear at a rate of around 15 an hour and will be fast with fine trains visible across the sky. The Orionid meteor shower can be seen with the naked eye from all parts of the sky, though the meteors appear to originate from the constellation of Orion.

For the best viewing conditions, observers should stand away from street lights and other sources of light pollution.

How it is being reported

• Meteor shower linked with Halley's Comet to be visible in Suffolk skiesThe Orionid meteor shower from Halley's Comet will peak in the skies above Suffolk on Wednesday, October 21.East Anglian Daily Times · 9 Oct, 16:00
• Meteor shower linked with Halley's Comet to be visible in Suffolk skiesThe Orionid meteor shower from Halley's Comet will peak in the skies above Suffolk on Wednesday, October 21.Ipswich Star · 9 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Halley's Comet · Suffolk · Orion

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