#When and where to see it peak

While most live performances are on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, the celestial show must go on. This month, make the most of the Orionid meteor shower.

When is the best time to see the Orionid meteor shower?

The Orionids arrive annually between approximately Oct. 2 and Nov. 7, according to the American Meteor Society, although they aren’t necessarily viewable for the duration. A decent showing may yield some 10 meteors per hour, and up to about 20 during their peak.

The best time to look up occurs during the darkest hours, between Tuesday night, Oct. 20, and Wednesday morning, Oct. 21, according to TimeAndDate.com, when Earth’s orbit intersects with the rocky entrails of Halley’s Comet, which make up the Orionids. The next time the storied comet will appear in our sky is 2061, during its 76-year cycle around the sun, according to NASA.

Why are they called the Orionids?

Although they’re nowhere near the stars, this meteor shower is named for the constellation Orion’s Belt. Their position in the sky creates the optical illusion that they’re shooting from Orion’s hip.

Where are the best places to see the Orionids?

While their equatorial placement in the sky — amidst Orion’s Belt — makes them visible to both the northern and southern hemispheres, they’re also more difficult to spot than some other meteor showers. Any amount of light pollution will severely decrease visibility, especially for those living in cities and suburbs. Furthermore, much of the northern United States may be under cloud cover, according to meteorologists.

For those who do find themselves in a dark area with a clear sky overhead, be patient: It can take about 20 minutes for your eyes to properly adjust to low lighting. Tonight’s moon, a waxing crescent at 23% full, should be just dim enough to permit a proper viewing.