Orionid meteors

The Orionids should reach peak activity on October 20-21 which coincides very nicely with New Moon. They are swift meteors (Vg 66 km/s) and their parent comet is the famous 1P/Halley.

Maximum ZHR is usually around 20, but in the early 2000s they produced rates between 40 – 70. Whatever activity profile they give us this year, a consistent feature is a broad maximum over two or three nights affording good opportunities to record / observe them – weather permitting!

Their radiant is at low elevation until midnight onwards, so the early morning hours are favoured. The usual advice is to monitor an area about 40 degrees away from the radiant, although we occasionally detect / see Orionids almost head-on framed against their eponymous constellation. A fine sight, especially if a bright Orionid (larger meteoroid) leaves a glowing train.

Alex.