Skygazers prepare to watch Orionid meteor shower
21 October 2009
Today, 21 October, amateur astronomers will be watching an annual spectacle: the Orionid meteor shower. Orionids are leftovers from Halley's Comet, and this event occurs every year when Earth passes through the comet's debris trail.
While not as prolific as other showers, in 2009 the peak of the Orionids is before dawn and should put on a good show as experts estimate that around 20 shooting stars an hour will be visible from dark skies. Luckily the crescent Moon will be below the horizon, so will not drown out dimmer streaks.
StarDate Online have more information, including exactly where to look in the sky: http://stardate.org/mediacenter/2009-orionid-meteor-shower.html
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