Orionids Quick Facts

Meteor Shower Dates: October 2 – November 7
Peak Dates: Mid October
Peak Meteor Showers: 15 under perfect conditions
Best Viewing Times: At night after moonset, but before dawn
Originating Constellation: Orion

Summary

The Orionids meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that runs from October 2 to November 7. The typical dates for the peak of the shower is on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. In some years, there is the potential that the second quarter moon could block some of the fainter meteors, but the Orionids tend to be fairly bright so it could still be a good show.

This meteor shower can be classified as an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times. As a result of debris left behind by Halley’s Comet, these particles continue on the comet’s trajectory and appear as meteors when they pass through Earth’s upper atmosphere.

Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

It is possible for observers to see an average of 50-70 meteors per hour during some good years.

It is worth noting that if unable to see the Perseid Meteor shower, there is enough time to plan for seeing the Orionids. But this requires the weather in the Pacific Northwest to not be cloudy.

References

All you need to know: Orionid meteor shower

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/meteors-and-meteorites/orionids/in-depth/