During October, you’re probably looking for spooky activities, but you might also want to consider a little stargazing because the Orionid meteor shower peaks this month.
This year, the shower’s peak will happen before Halloween, on the night of Oct. 20 through the morning of Oct. 21. As for viewing times, your best bet to see the highest number of meteors is just before dawn on Oct. 21.
However, keep in mind that a full moon coincides with the event, which might interfere with visibility, and you’ll also want to check your local weather.
If you’ve got plans on those dates, or you, you know, actually have to go to work or school the next day, the Orionids don’t just disappear. The meteor shower continues through Nov. 7, and while it won’t be at its peak, that doesn’t mean you can’t see a few sky sparkles—as many as 20 meteors can occur each hour, even during off-peak hours.
So, even if you miss the peak dates, if you’re out trick or treating on Halloween, be sure to look up! After all, what better way is there to end the night than with a meteor shower?
[Via Martha Stewart]
