Halley’s comet is coming back: Know more about the Orionid meteor shower and its expected arrival dates 

Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh

The 2023 Orionid meteor shower is poised to deliver a truly awe-inspiring show, captivating astronomers and stargazers worldwide

A Spectacular Celestial Event

Mark your calendars for the mornings of October 21 and 22, as these dates are anticipated to offer the greatest number of meteor activity by Orionid meteor shower

Expected Dates

The absence of moonlight during the peak of the meteor shower could enhance the visual experience, ensuring an even more dazzling display of meteors streaking across the night sky

Absence of Moonlight

The Orionid meteor shower is an eagerly anticipated annual occurrence, created when Earth passes through the remnants of Halley's Comet. This captivating event reliably graces our skies every October

Annual Phenomenon

Halley's Comet, scientifically known as 1P/Halley, follows an elliptical orbit around the sun, reappearing approximately every 76 years. Along its journey, it sheds dust and debris, which eventually gives rise to the meteor shower we enjoy today

Halley's Comet's Legacy

Halley's Comet is an impressive celestial body, measuring about five by nine miles. Its durability, despite losing material with each solar system passage, allows it to persist through countless orbits

Size and Durability

Halley's Comet holds a significant place in astronomical history, as it was the first comet to have its return accurately predicted, thanks to the groundbreaking calculations made by English astronomer Edmond Halley

Historical Significance

Records of Halley's Comet sightings date back to the year 240 CE, establishing it as one of the most historically documented and scientifically intriguing comets in existence

Visible Through Centuries

The Orionid meteors are renowned for their remarkable speed and brightness, making them a favoured subject of study and admiration among stargazers. They leave striking, luminous trails as they streak across the heavens

Meteor Speed and
Brightness

Each meteor observed during the Orionid meteor shower is a minuscule fragment of Halley's Comet, offering a remarkable connection to the vast and mesmerising universe beyond our planet. This cosmic event is a chance to witness the cosmos in all its splendour and wonder

A Glimpse into the Universe