How can I best view the Orionids meteor shower? The Orionids
meteor shower has been observed for nearly 200 years, with the
earliest sighting credited to E.C. Herrick of Connecticut, who
in 1839, was the first individual to state that there is meteor
activity annually around the 8th and 15th of October. Orionids
is one of the top meteor showers to observe during the 4th
quarter of the year, producing up to 20 green and yellow meteors
per hour during its peak.Orionids meteors are also known to be
speedy, with meteors soaring through the night sky at
approximately 66 km/s (147,638 miles per hour)—ninja reflexes
are required to capture the magic on camera. Autumn is in full
force in the Northern Hemisphere, and that can only mean that
the peak of the Orionids meteor shower is quickly approaching.
This annual celestial event is the most prolific meteor shower
associated with Hailley’s Comet and the second of two showers
(the first being ETA Aquarids) that occur due to the Earth
passing through the dust of the fam