Meteors With “Glowing Trains” Will Light Up the Sky This Weekend—How to See Them
bjdlzx/iStock
If this past weekend’s annular eclipse reminded us of anything, it’s that people still jump at the chance to witness a special celestial event. But while there may not be another total solar eclipse for a few months, there are still some upcoming spectacles that are worth adding to your calendar. That includes this weekend when the Orionids will bring meteors with “glowing trains” that light up the sky. Read on for more information on how you can see the dazzling display for yourself.
RELATED: Intense Solar Storms May Peak Faster Than Expected—What That Means for Earth .
bjdlzx/iStock
Stargazers looking for a reason to spend some time outdoors will have a pretty good excuse in the coming days. That’s because the Orionids are scheduled to peak over the weekend in what is considered to be “one of the most beautiful” meteor showers of the entire year, according to NASA.
The annual event earned its reputation thanks to its “fast” meteors that are “known for their brightness and speed.” Their high velocity causes them to leave “glowing trains” in their wake that can last for several seconds or even minutes in the sky, per the space agency. And between streaks of light, they can also appear as “fireballs” that create explosions of light in the night sky, per the space agency.
RELATED: 6 Stargazing Secrets, According to Astronomy Experts .
AstroStar/Shutterstock
Besides their notable beauty, the Orionids also stand out thanks to their origin story. The annual shower is the result of Earth passing through the debris trail left behind by Halley’s comet—scientifically known as 1P/Halley—which has become a household name for its high-profile fly-bys of our planet, according to NASA.
Even though there are reported sightings of the comet dating back to 240 CE, the object didn’t actually get its name until Edmond Halley correctly calculated its appearance every 76 years , astronomy website EarthSky reports. And while it last skimmed Earth in 1986 and won’t return until 2061, its remnants still create “shooting stars” with the Orionids each October and with the Eta Aquarids every May.
RELATED: 30 Moon Facts That Are Out of This World .
iStock / m-gucci
The Orionids provide a relatively long window for viewing, as they technically started back on Sept. 26 and are expected to carry through Nov. 22, per EarthSky. However, the meteor shower will reach its peak this weekend on Oct. 22, making early Saturday and Sunday mornings the best times to step outside.
Just plan on staying out pretty late: The ideal timeframe for activity is between 1 a.m. and dawn , according to the American Meteor Society (AMS). This is when the shower’s radiant—the famous constellation Orion—will be more than 30 degrees above the horizon.
This year’s shower will also be set up for success thanks to a half-illuminated first-quarter crescent moon that will set around midnight. The reduced light helps create ideal viewing conditions, which can mean as many as 10 to 20 visible meteors per hour in darker skies, according to AMS.
RELATED: 8 Amazing Things You Can See in the Night Sky Without a Telescope .
Bilanol/Shutterstock
Fortunately, the Orionids’ long peak window makes it possible to work around any cloudy or unfavorable weather conditions that might pass through your area over the weekend. But there are still a few other things within your control that can make your meteor shower viewing experience even better.
As with any stargazing event, it’s best to find a viewing spot in a dark area far away from the light pollution of cities and towns and with as much visibility of the sky as possible. It can also help to set up your chair, sleeping bag, or blanket with your feet facing southeast if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, according to NASA.
The space agency also points out that it can take up to 30 minutes in the dark for your eyes to adapt to the conditions. Once you’re settled in, try to relax and stay patient while you wait for the dazzling meteors to pass overhead.
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
Stocker plus/Shutterstock
Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
READ THIS NEXT: NASA Promises Humans Living on the Moon in 10 Years .
GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock
If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
Lost_in_the_Midwest/Shutterstock
Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
Shutterstock
So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
Shutterstock / Mihai O Coman
If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
