You don’t have to wait for Halley’s Comet to return to see something it left behind.

The Orionid meteor shower is active now, with its peak expected Wednesday night, October 21, into Thursday morning, October 22. But before you plan an evening under the stars, there’s a catch: a bright moon will make some meteors harder to spot.

Timing your outing could make a bigger difference than staying outside longer.

Quick Breakdown:

• Best viewing starts on Wednesday night, October 21st
• You can see 10-20 meteors per hours
• Meteors created by Eath passing through the dust shed from Halley's Comet
• Head away from city lights and give your eyes 30 minutes to adjust

When Is the Best Time to Watch the Orionids?

The hours after midnight are generally best for watching this shower. This year, aim for the darker window after the moon sets and before dawn. Check your local moonset and sunrise times, since that window depends on where you live.

The shower is already underway, so the peak isn’t your only opportunity. If you have clear skies before then, you can try looking, although activity may be lower.

How Many Meteors Could You See?

The American Meteor Society describes typical peak activity as roughly 10 to 20 Orionids per hour under favorable conditions. That is a dark-sky reference, not a promise for your backyard.

The moon will be about 74% illuminated on peak night. While it is above the horizon, its light will hide some of the fainter streaks. City lights and clouds can reduce visibility further.

Think patient skywatching, rather than a nonstop light show.

Where Should You Look?

Orionids appear to trace back toward the constellation Orion, but you don’t need to stare directly at it. Meteors can cross a wide stretch of sky.

Find a dark, safe place with an open view. A reclining chair or blanket makes looking up much easier on your neck. Give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust, and keep your phone screen dim and put away as much as possible.

Leave the telescope indoors. Your eyes give you the broad view you need.

What Causes the Orionids?

Earth passes through dust shed by Halley’s Comet. As those particles enter our atmosphere, they produce the bright streaks we call meteors.

Halley’s Comet itself isn’t returning for this shower. We’re crossing material it left along its orbit.

Check the Clouds Before Setting an Alarm

A dark location won’t help much if clouds cover the sky. Check the hourly forecast and cloud cover in the WeatherBug app before heading out, along with the overnight temperature so you can dress comfortably.

And if the forecast looks chilly, here’s when the first freeze typically arrives where you live.

Sources: American Meteor Society, NASA’s October 2026 skywatching guide, NASA’s Orionid guide.