Meteor showers in October Orionids light up the night sky

Astronomy fans can expect an impressive celestial phenomenon in October: the Orionid shooting stars. Find out here when and how you can best observe the spectacle.

As Lea Lange/SWP/swp.de wrote on 2024-10-17 at 11:13:03.831:

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October offers astronomy lovers two fascinating celestial events. After the Draconids lit up the night sky at the beginning of the month, the Orionid meteor shower will now follow. These shooting stars are fragments of the famous Halley's Comet, which has a long history and was last visible in December 2023. The Orionids can be observed every year from early October to early November, peaking on the night of October 21-22.

The Orionids are visible worldwide and offer the opportunity to see up to 20 shooting stars per hour. The best time to observe them is from 11 pm, when the constellation Orion rises in the east. The name of the shooting stars is derived from the constellation from which they appear to come.

A clear night is crucial for optimal observation of the Orionids. Darkness is important to allow the eyes to adjust, which can take up to 20 minutes. It is advisable to dress warmly and have an unobstructed view of the sky. The radiant, the point from which the shooting stars appear to emanate, should be in the east.

In addition to the Orionids, there are other streams of shooting stars that can be observed in Germany throughout the year. These include the Quadrantids in January, the Lyrids in April and the Perseids in summer. Each of these meteor showers has its own special features and offers unique viewing opportunities.

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