Orionids meteor shower to hit UK skies this week

The Orionids showers are seen as one of the most spectacular showers of the year, and are renowned for their brightness and the sheer pace at which they dart through the Earth’s atmosphere (at around 148,000 mph). 

It is advised to keep a look out in the hours after midnight. The best way to get the best views is by lying on your back, with your feet facing southeast if you are in the Northern Hemisphere or northeast if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, taking in as much of the sky as you can, according to NASA.

Luckily, viewing conditions this year are set to be positive, with hardly any moonlight, forecasts suggest. This is good as dark, clear dark skies mark the optimal conditions for catching a glimpse of meteors zipping through the atmosphere. 

You also do not need any equipment to spot the phenomenon as it is possible to view the whole thing with the naked eye, without the need for binoculars or a telescope. However, NASA advises you to give yourself 30 minutes to adjust to the dark, and it would help if you avoid using flashlights and lights from external devices, like mobile phones for instance. 

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1684960/orionids-meteor-shower-uk-space-news-orion-nasa