The Orionid Meteor Shower 2009 is about to hit its annual peak.
Every October as the Earth orbits the Sun, it navigates through an area containing dust and rock particles left behind by Halley’s comet. As these minute particles collide with the Earth’s atmosphere they burn up, producing bright streaks of light.
The meteors seem to originate from the constellation of Orion (see graphic below), hence the name “Orionid Meteor Shower 2009″.
The meteor shower usually is visible from October 16th – 27th, with the peak expected in the early morning hours of October 21, 2009. Lately, a high number of meteors have been seen 1-2 days prior to and after the peak, so you should really be able to see the shower from the 18th-23rd.
At times, a “double-peak” of activity has been reported. This could be due to the orbit of Halley’s Comet, which brings it back to our sun every 76 years.
Get out there and enjoy the show!
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