Orionid Meteor Shower 2026: Halley’s Comet Debris to Light Up the Night Sky This October – Know Peak Dates, Best Viewing Time, Tips & More

Orionid Meteor Shower 2026: Skywatchers can expect to see bright streaks of light across the nite sky when the Orionid meteor shower peaks the nite of October 21-22, 2026. Earth’s annual sky show happens when the planet passes through debris left by Halley’s Comet. In dark skies, observers could see about 20 meteors per hour at its peak, with the best viewing expected after the Moon sets in the early morning hours of Oct. 22.

What Is the Orionid Meteor Shower and Why Is It Special?

The Orionids are an annual meteor shower created by tiny particles left behind by Halley’s Comet as it travels around the Sun. When Earth crosses this trail of cosmic debris, the particles enter the atmosphere at speeds of around 66 kilometres per second, heating the surrounding air and creating glowing streaks commonly known as shooting stars. The shower appears to originate near the constellation Orion, but meteors can flash across many parts of the sky. 

When Will the Orionid Meteor Shower Peak in 2026?