Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Oct. 20-21, 2012

[bystander]

Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Oct. 20-21, 2012
StarDate | MacDonald Observatory | University of Texas | 2012 Oct 18

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As it does each year, early fall brings crisper air, turning leaves, and the Orionid meteor shower. This year’s best viewing will be in the several hours around midnight October 20 and before dawn on October 21, according to the editors of StarDate magazine.

At its late-night peak, this year’s shower is expected to produce around 25 meteors per hour. The first-quarter Moon will set around midnight, so its light will not interfere with the celestial show.

Orionid meteors appear to fall from above the star Betelgeuse, the bright orange star marking the shoulder of the constellation Orion. They are not associated with this star or constellation, but instead are leftover debris from Halley’s Comet. The Orionid meteors recur each year when Earth passes through the comet’s debris trail.

For your best view, get away from city lights. Look for state or city parks or other safe, dark sites. Lie on a blanket or reclining chair to get a full-sky view. If you can see all of the stars in the Little Dipper, you have good dark-adapted vision.

[StevenChristenson]

I chose an east facing view from the Silicon Valley area, Northern California. Out of almost 2,500 images, I managed to capture one brilliant meteor - probably an Arietid based on the trajectory that left a trail that persisted in the atmosphere for 13 minutes.


Meteor (leaves a trail) [C_043185]

Click the image to see the timelapse.

On the same evening I also captured an Orionid

The Other One

[Chris Peterson]

Four evenings of Orionids (other meteors removed). More here.