How to see the Orionid meteor shower

The Orionid meteor shower is one of the best known and most reliable meteor showers in the annual calendar, visible from across the globe.

In 2024 the Orionid meteor shower is active from 2 October – 7 November and will peak on the night of 21-22 October between midnight and dawn. However, you should be able to see the shower for several days on either side of this ‘maximum’ date.

What is the Orionid meteor shower?

Some people view the Orionids as extra special as the meteors are actually pieces of Comet 1P/Halley, famously known as Halley’s Comet. The comet swings by the earth only once every 75 – 76 years but this annual shower provides some compensation for those who may miss that once-in-a-lifetime event. 

As the comet follows its path around the sun, it leaves a path of tiny debris. The cometary debris enters our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of around 41 miles per second, vaporising from friction with the air causing the streaks of light we call meteors. 

When is the Orionid meteor shower?

The Orionids occur in late October each year with a peak around the 21st. Although the Orionid maximum is quoted as 21-22 October in 2024, in fact there is a broad maximum lasting about a week roughly centered on that date.

SHOWER NAME	DATE OF MAXIMUM	NORMAL LIMITS	RATE/HOUR	DESCRIPTION
Orionids	21-22 October	2 October – 7 November	25	Fast with fine trains. Associated with Comet Halley