Moonlit Skies May Obstruct Orionid Meteor Shower

meteor showerPhoto byNick IliasovonUnsplash

The Orionid meteor shower, set to peak on October 21, may not be as visible as usual due to the brightness of the nearly full moon. The moon's illumination can make it difficult to spot the typically faint meteors against the night sky. This year, with the moon expected to be around 80 percent full on October 20 and 21, stargazers might struggle to see the expected 23 meteors per hour in moonless skies.

Despite this challenge, NASA recommends finding a dark location away from city lights and street lamps to observe the meteor shower. To improve visibility, viewers should allow their eyes to adapt to the darkness for about half an hour and look towards the constellation Orion, where the meteors seem to originate. The best time to see the Orionids will be when Orion is highest in the sky, around 2 a.m., visible in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. So, while the moon's brightness may dampen the experience, dedicated stargazers can still have a chance to witness this stunning cosmic event. The Orionid meteor shower has long been a highly anticipated celestial event for astronomy enthusiasts, but this year's peak might be somewhat challenged by the luminosity of the nearly full moon. Despite the potential difficulty in spotting the meteors against the moonlit sky, NASA's recommendation to seek out dark, remote locations away from artificial lights remains pivotal for maximizing visibility. By allowing their eyes time to adjust to the darkness and focusing their gaze towards the constellation Orion, viewers can still enhance their chances of witnessing the meteor shower's spectacle, even with the lunar interference.

Stargazers worldwide, whether in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere, can aim to catch the peak of the Orionids around 2 a.m. when Orion is at its highest point in the sky. Although the moon's brilliance may pose a hindrance, the perseverance and dedication of astronomy enthusiasts could lead to an unforgettable experience of observing the beauty and wonder of the cosmos through the streaking trails of the Orionid meteors. So, despite the celestial challenges presented, the allure of the universe's mysteries still beckons those willing to venture into the night and look up to the heavens above.

Source:

https://www.newsweek.com/orionids-meteor-shower-space-weather-full-moon-1971301