For star gazers

[Warrigal]

This is the time of year to watch for shooting stars (meteors) as they shower across the sky, emanating from the constellation Orion (The Hunter in the Northern Hemisphere and The Saucepan when seen from below the equator.

The season started on October 2 and will continue until November 7. Peak viewing will be this Thursday and Friday when the moon has set.

The Orionid shower started on October 2 and is expected to continue through November 7. Wednesday and Thursday nights, however, are said to be the peak nights for viewing, according to experts at the Griffith Observatory.

The best times for viewing are after “moonset”, at 12:31 a.m., continuing through until dawn, at 5:49 a.m.

Skygazers could see as many as 20 meteors per hour as they stream out of their “radiant point” in the club of constellation Orion the Hunter.
The Orionids are considered among the most popular meteors. They are particles shed by the galaxy’s most well-known comet, Halley’s Comet.
These particles can be seen streaking across the sky as they hit our planet’s atmosphere at roughly 41 miles per second.

If this is too late for you to stay up this week, there is another opportunity when another shower will emanate from the constellation Leo in November.

Another meteor shower, for those who are unable to stay awake this week, will present itself in a couple weeks time.

The Leonids shower is scheduled to begin on November 6, and will continue through November 30. The Leonids meteors are particles from the Tempel-Tuttle Comet, and will best be seen between midnight and dawn, with top viewing opportunities expected on November 18-19.

The meteors will be seen emanating from the “sickle” of the Leo the Lion constellation, as the name indicates. Roughly 12 meteors per hour can be expected during that shower.

 

[Falcon]

Thanks Warri. I like to watch but rarely see a meteor. But I'll watch again and hope for better luck.

 

[Shirley]

My grandson and I watched meteors a few years ago. I woke him up and wrapped him in a comforter to take him outside to see them. We saw so many that it was amazing. We couldn't even count them. I hope we can repeat the experience now. I'll have to look and see what time they are visible in EST.

 

[DennisK]

At my part of the world, Orion is high in the southwestern part of the sky during predawn. There is also a beautiful view of Jupiter and Venus close together in my southeastern sky. I am reading a historical novel about the Polynesian people. They use Orion's belt to help them navigate the vast Pacific more than 3000 years ago. They also use the migration of birds - clever people!

 

[Vivjen]

I just loved the stars on South Africa, and New Zealand....no light pollution at all.
Also where Mum and Dad are, in Scotland.
not quite so good here; but I did see shooting stars in South Africa.