When and where to watch the Orionids meteor shower tonight

21 October 2016

This weekend, 21-24 October is the best time to watch the annual Orionids meteor showers, according to NASA.

The meteor shower is caused by the dust of Halley’s comet and will be visible from 2 October – 7 November, with peak viewing times taking place this weekend.

Halley takes around 76 years to make a complete revolution around the Sun. It will next be visible from Earth in 2061.

The beginning of tonight’s shower should be viewable by 18:58 across South Africa, carrying on into the early hours of tomorrow morning.

If the sky is clear, you could see up to 25 shooting stars an hour, travelling at around 41 miles per second.

However this year, the light of the moon may make it more difficult to see.

That also means those in the country and away from artificial light sources will also have the best view, although they too may have to wait a while for a particularly bright meteor.


Now read: Check out Neil deGrasse Tyson’s incredible new space exploration game

You have read 1 out of 5 free articles. Log in or register for unlimited access.

Read now

The best gaming website in South Africa
MyGaming proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website, www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to [email protected] Contact the Press Council on 011 4843612.