The annual Orionids meteor shower is taking place this week. Peak will be from Midnight monday night til dawn, Tuesday. Meteors will also be seen in greater numbers Sunday midnight til dawn and Tuesday midnight til dawn. The moon will be late in phase so it won't completely outshine the meteors.
The Orionids occur when the earth passes through the dust trail of Halley's (rhymes with Valley) Comet. This is the second of the Halley's Comet meteor showers in a year. The other is the Eta Aquarids.
The orionids are fast-moving meteors and you will likely see 12-20 meteors in an hour. Get to a dark spot with a good view of the sky and look up. Take a reclining lawn chair or blanket and make yourself comfortable.
No telescopes or binoculars needed.
They are called the Orionids because they seem to radiate from the part of the sky that the constellation Orion is in.
Have fun! Take a friend!
Geek out on science, Yeah!

The MOP