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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Nisha Mal

The Orionids meteor shower to light up the October sky with a dazzling display

In the next few weeks the skies will light up around dawn, thanks to the Orionids meteor shower.

Experts regard it as one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year and it is created by Halley's Comet, one of the most well-known comets.

Here's everything you need to know about the beautiful display.

When does the Orionids meteor shower peak? 

This year the shower will peak in the early hours of Monday, October 22. Keep a lookout the night sky in the days leading up to 22nd though, as you might still catch a meteor or two before dawn breaks.  

On October 22, stargazers will be able to see 10-20 meteors light up the skies every hour.  

According to astrology experts from earthsky.org the Orionids showers are known to rip through the skies extremely fast, and can plummet into the Earth's atmosphere at around 41 miles per second.

Sometimes a meteor can be exceptionally bright and break up into fragments, a bit like the skies natural fireworks. 

The Orionids meteor shower always takes place around mid October to November.  

The best time to see it is around 2am on Monday morning, when the showers will be at their brightest and most visible. 

If we're lucky we could see up to 80 meteors an hour. 

How can I see it?

Experts recommend that you go outside around 1.30am and let your eyes adjust to the darkness for 20 minutes.

You won't need binoculars or a telescope to view the shower as these are designed to see objects that stand still as opposed to moving ones. 

The naked eye is best.

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