Look up the night sky tonight and you will saw the nature’s sparkling show much more resplendent and awe-inspiring than any of our Diwali crackers. Orionid meteor is going to go past over the sky tonight, starting 10.30 pm to 5.30 am tomorrow (October 21, 2017).
What is Orionids Meteor?
The Orionid meteor shower is a meteor showers created by debris from Comet Halley (which is visible after 76 years; next will be seen in 2061).
Orionids tend to be active every year in the month of October, usually peaking around October 20. At its peak, up to 20 meteors are visible every hour.
Where To Find the Orionids Meteor Shower?
- Spot the orion: In the night sky tonight, find the orion constellation (the hunter) and look slightly north of his left shoulder. This is going to the area of action.
- Time: The meteor shower will begin at 10.30 pm.
- Best time to observe: Midnight to predawn hours
- Can be seen with naked eyes: Meteor showers can be enjoyed with naked eyes and does not require any sophisticated equipment. Binoculars or telescopes will be no good as they are designed for stationary things.
- New Moon tonight: The dark background is set for the sparkling show.
- 10-15 meteors per hour: You will be able to see 10-15 meteors every hour from a clear and dark skies during the peak.
| Orionids meteor shower for Chandigarh (Night between 20 October and 21 October) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Azimuth/Direction | Altitude |
| Fri 22:30 | 75° |
5.1° |
| Fri 23:30 | 82° |
17.6° |
| Sat 00:30 | 89° |
30.5° |
| Sat 01:30 | 98° |
43.3° |
| Sat 02:30 | 109° |
55.9° |
| Sat 03:30 | 128° |
67.3° |
| Sat 04:30 | 168° |
74.5° |
| Sat 05:30 | 218° |
71.5° |
Direction to see the Orionids in the sky:
- Azimuth is the direction, based on true north; a compass might show a slightly different value.
- Altitude is height in degrees over horizon.
Source: Space India