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The Orionids are active from October 2 to November 7, with the meteor shower’s peak on October 21–22.
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Bright moonlight around the peak dates may make fainter meteors harder to see this year.
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In 2026, the best viewing may be in the pre-dawn hours after the Moon has set, when skies are darker.
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The meteors can be seen from both hemispheres and appear to radiate from the constellation Orion, but they can be seen anywhere in the night sky.
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When to See the Orionid Meteor Shower
The Orionid meteor shower is active from around October 2 to November 7, with the peak night falling on October 21–22. With the Orionids, activity can remain relatively high for a few days around the peak, giving you a broader window of opportunity to spot shooting stars.
However, viewing conditions are less favorable this year because the peak falls close to the Full Moon on October 26, so bright moonlight may wash out fainter meteors.
Usually, the best time to spot Orionid meteors is between midnight and dawn—though in 2026, it may be better to wait until after the Moon sets when skies will be darker.
Moonset times for your locationAn hour or two before dawn around the peak date is generally a good time to look for meteor showers, since that’s when your location on Earth is turning more directly into the path of incoming meteoroids.
Find out what time the Sun rises where you areWhere to See the Orionids
The Orionids can be seen from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, although viewing conditions vary depending on your location.
During a meteor shower, the meteors appear to radiate from the same area of the sky, known as the radiant. For the Orionids, the radiant lies in the constellation Orion, home to the bright star Betelgeuse.
Orion is one of the easiest constellations to recognize, thanks to the three bright stars that form Orion’s belt. But you don’t need to look directly at Orion to see the meteors—they can appear anywhere across the night sky.
For the best view, find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes around 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
What to Expect
The shower is known for its fast-moving meteors, which enter Earth’s atmosphere at around 66 kilometers per second (41 miles per second). Some can leave glowing trails that remain visible for a few seconds after the meteor itself has disappeared. They can also occasionally produce fireballs—exceptionally bright meteors.
In 2026, however, the almost Full Moon will lighten the sky around the peak, making fainter meteors hard to see. The brighter Orionids should still be visible, especially once the Moon has set.
The Orionids stand out not only for their bright, fast-moving meteors but also for the part of the sky where the radiant lies. It’s filled with eye-catching stars and some of the most recognizable constellations.
So, even though the Moon may steal some of the spotlight from the Orionids this year, there’s still plenty worth looking up for.
(*) Image by Mike Lewinski , licensed under CC BY 4.0 .
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Orionids?
The Orionids are the second notable meteor shower in October, following the Draconids earlier in the month.
The Orionids come from debris left behind by 1P/Halley, better known as Halley’s Comet, which also produces the Eta Aquariid meteor shower in May.
As the comet travels, it leaves behind a long trail of debris. Each summer, Earth crosses that debris stream—causing tiny bits of comet dust to burn up in our atmosphere, lighting up the sky as meteors.
That’s why we see the Orionids around the same time every year: Earth’s orbit takes it right through the same dusty trail, like clockwork.
How many Orionid meteors can I see?
Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the Orionids can produce up to around 20 meteors per hour near the peak. Bright moonlight from the Waxing Gibbous Moon will likely reduce the number of meteors visible in 2026.
Why are they called the Orionids?
The meteors appear to radiate from an area of the sky in the constellation Orion, which gives the shower its name.