Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Orionid Meteor Shower Tonight

Have you noticed this image on your Facebook page today?

Wondering what it's all about?

Well, we're here to give you the full scoop.

What is it?

The Orionid shower is created by debris from Halley's Comet that comes into contact with the Earth every year, some time around October.

This is the point in the year when our orbit intersects that of the stream of debris left by the comet and it burns up in our atmosphere. 20 or so meteors are produced each and every hour.

When will we see them?

Tonight we are expected to see these, quite visibly, as Earth passes through an area of space filled with the debris of Halley’s Comet.

The shower is expected to be active all throughout October in general, but the head honchos at Nasa reckon the best time to see it all kick off will be between October 20 and October 22, between midnight and dawn.

What will it look like?

Like this, astrology brethren.

What can we do to assure visibility?

Get yourself as far away from light pollution as possible. You should allow at least 45 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark, the meteors should visible to the naked eye.

To maximise the chances of visibility in all its glory, cast your back to the moon to avoid extra light being in your way.

Where's best to watch it?

Any of the following dreamy spots in Dublin: Bray head, Phoenix Park, South Wall, Sandymount Strand or Bull Island.

And once you're far enough outside of the cities of Ireland, anywhere with no severe light pollution should be perfect.

And, do we need a telescope?

Nah man, all visible with the naked eye.

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