2026 Orionid meteors

The peak of the Orionid meteor shower is predicted to occur over the period October 21 to 22. The profile of their maximum rates tends to present a plateau over 2 or 3 nights. Their ZHR usually reaches about 20/hour, so don’t expect high numbers of ORIs, especially during this dismal weather.

However, during the second half of October there’s also a trickle of contributions from the southern and northern Taurids (STA and NTA), epsilon Geminids (EGE) and Leonis Minorids (LMI). The Taurids are relatively slow meteors with the other showers being rather swift, so together they produce an interesting mix, and occasionally we get a bright, trundling Taurid.

The weather forecast looks most unfavourable over the next few nights.

Let’s see.

Alex.