Orionid meteor shower tonight: When and where to see dust from Halley’s comet become shooting stars

October brought the northern lights, the great Hunter’s moon, and now the meteor shower? Why, yes, that’s right.

This month has been an exciting one for sky watchers across the United States, and this weekend gives us another chance to check out the Orionid meteor shower.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Orionid meteor shower, anyway?

The Orionid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through debris (ice or dust) left behind by Halley’s comet, creating what we know as shooting stars. That comet orbits Earth approximately every 75 years, and is expected to return in 2061. (If you remember when it was last seen in 1986, like me and some of my colleagues Fast companywho might be dating you.)

The Orionids are considered one of the best showers of the year, according to NASA. They peak in mid-October and are known for their brightness and speed (about 41 miles per second), and can leave seconds or minutes of glowing “trains” and sometimes fireballs of exploding light.

They get their name from the constellation Orion, which is where they appear from the sky. But don’t look at Orion hoping to see blazing stars, because you might miss it. The meteor shower is best seen by looking at the entire night sky.

When can I see the Orionid meteor shower?

Grab a warm jacket and maybe some binoculars, and head outside on Sunday night, October 20th, early Monday morning, because you could be doing some serious stargazing.

The Orionid meteor shower is expected to peak between midnight and dawn at a rate of about 20 visible meteors per hour (although it can produce up to 80 meteors per hour).

But be warned: This year, viewers may have trouble seeing the meteor shower due to the moonlight.

Where do meteors come from?

Meteors are fragments of broken asteroids and leftover particles from comets. When a comet passes the sun, the dust it ejects eventually creates a “dust trail” around its orbit. Then when the Earth passes through these orbits, it interacts with our atmosphere, creating those brilliant light shows in the sky.

NASA viewing tips for the Orionids

Our friends at NASA offer these tips:

• Find a vantage point away from city or street lights.
• Lie on your back with your feet facing southeast. You may want to bring a blanket or lounge chair.
• Look up, take in as much of the sky as you can. In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adjust and you will begin to see meteors.
• Be patient. The show will last until dawn, so you’ll have plenty of time to browse.

And finally, have fun! We suspect there will be plenty of photos on social media come Monday morning, so don’t forget your phone or camera if you want to add your own!