Science Tonight!

 The Orionid Meteor Shower


Peak morning is October 21.  The moon is in waxing crescent phase, so with clear skies, you should be able to view tonight as well.

Each year the Earth passes through the stream of debris left by Comet Halley, the parent comet of the Orionids.  They're not the strongest shower, or the brightest, but they do leave persistent trains - ionized gas trails that last for a seconds after the meteor is gone.

Orion ascends in the east after midnight, and though the meteors radiate from nearby, they radiate in all directions, and become visible about 30 degrees out from their radiant point, so they will be seen all over the sky.  

The meteors strike our atmosphere going about 41 miles per second, vaporizing some 60 miles above Earth's surface.


Enjoy your viewing!


EarthSky

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