Meteor shower tonight: Orionids peak under moonless skies — plus a bonus comet for 2025 skywatchers

Bassyonni

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Meteor shower tonight

The Orionids reach their annual peak tonight into early tomorrow, delivering one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year under unusually dark skies. With the Moon essentially out of the picture, observers in most regions can expect frequent, fast “shooting stars” from midnight through dawn. The parent of this shower is the most famous comet of all—Halley’s Comet—so each streak is a tiny piece of that icy traveler burning up high above.

Orionids meteor shower 2025: when and where to look

The Orionids are active through early November, but the prime window centers on the late nights and pre-dawn hours of October 21–22 and October 22–23. Aim for the darkest site you can find, give your eyes 30 minutes to adjust, and look 40–60° away from Orion (not directly at it) to catch longer, brighter trails.

Best viewing windows (tonight → early tomorrow)

U.S./Canada (ET): ~12:00–6:00 a.m.
UK (BST): ~1:00–6:00 a.m.
Europe/Cairo (local): ~1:00–6:00 a.m.
Australia (local): ~12:30–5:00 a.m.

What you might see:

Rate: Typically 10–25 meteors per hour at a dark site, with occasional spurts and rare fireballs.
Look & feel: Fast, fine-lined streaks; some leave persistent trains that hang for a second or two.

“Comet tonight”: what else is up in October 2025

Alongside the Orionids, skywatchers get a two-comet bonus this week:

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon): Near its closest approach and bright enough for binoculars from dark locations. Look low in the west 60–90 minutes after sunset; a subtle greenish tint may be noticeable in photos.
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN): Fainter but trackable with binoculars in the evening sky after sunset, sinking toward the southwest. Use a stargazing app to pinpoint both comets relative to bright stars.

Neither comet rivals the show-stoppers of past decades, but they’re rewarding targets if you’re already outside for meteors—especially with the Moon so faint.

How to maximize your Orionids viewing

Go dark & wide: City lights kill meteor counts. Find the darkest patch of sky and recline so you can scan a broad area.
Face the right way: Orion climbs in the east after late evening. Don’t stare right at the “radiant”; look off to the side for longer trails.
Dress for stillness: It’s the waiting that gets cold. Layers, a blanket, and a reclining chair make a huge difference.
Skip telescopes: Meteors are wide-field phenomena. Your best “equipment” is patience.
Be camera-smart: For photos, try 10–20-second exposures at a high ISO with a wide lens; aim away from the brightest horizon glow.

What makes the Orionids special

A Halley’s Comet connection: The Orionids (each October) and the Eta Aquariids (each May) are both dust streams shed by Halley’s Comet. You’re literally watching pieces of that comet vaporize.
Speed and finesse: Orionid meteoroids hit at high speed, which helps produce crisp streaks and those photogenic, lingering trains.
Global accessibility: From most of the world, Orion rises well before midnight in October, making this shower easy to catch if you’re willing to stay up late—or wake up early.

Quick planner for the next few nights

Tonight → early Wed: Peak night, darkest skies; best chance for higher counts.
Next night: Still strong; rates taper only gradually.
Through early November: Orionids remain active, but counts decline and the Moon grows, adding skyglow.

If you’ve been waiting for the best meteor shower 2025 moment, this is it. Head out around midnight, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy the Orionids at their brightest—then swing your binoculars toward the comet tonight low in the west for a bonus prize. Clear skies!