The meteors become visible when they collide with the Earth's atmosphere, about 100 kilometres up, at a speed of approximately 66 kilometres per second.
The Orionids have been visible since October 2 but the shower is set to light up the sky this weekend.
Dozens of shooting stars are expected to streak across the sky as Earth passes through debris of Halley's Comet.
Yes! The meteors which are part of Halley's comet, can cause fast, bright meteors during much of October.
Oh.and get wishing for some clear skies, of course.
"We are in an optimal day to see it so we are just after the new moon". These "shooting stars" will become more numerous during the peak with an average of 10-20 per hour this year.
Meteor showers are named after the constellation where the rocks appear to be coming from.
John Kelly: Presidents Don't Always Call Gold Star Families
The only thing I could do to collect my thoughts was to go walk among the finest men or women on this Earth. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article indicated Trump had called the fallen soldier's mother.
If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of Halley's Comet itself, you're about 44 years too early; it won't be visible from Earth until the year 2061 as it takes 76 years for it to make a complete revolution.
How can I see the Orionid Meteor Shower?
To get the best view of the meteor shower leave the city and head for the French countryside away from artificial lights. Scientists believe that the Orionids are on a 12-year cycle, which last peaked in 2006, when the shower was as strong as the Perseids.
However, city lights always pose a problem, so if you live near town, hop in your vehicle and head out into the country.
When trying to observe the showers, always look towards the radiant (where the meteor originates), and a constellation chart can help determine this.
The National Weather Service says the best time to watch in the Philadelphia area will be in the predawn hours Saturday.
Comments