THIS WEEK’S ACTION IN THE SKY: ORIONIDS METEOR SHOWER

One of the year’s biggest meteor showers in happening this week, October 20-22 – The Orionids promise up to 20 shooting stars per hour. Whether you’re camping under the stars or just enjoying a late night star gazing party, the sky this week is amazing for star-gazing.

The best time to watch is before dawn, after the moon sets. It’s a bright moon for much of the night at this year’s peak, but the predawn hours – best time to watch anyway – are moon-free.  After their radiant point rises, you’ll see many more meteors, and, as the radiant rises higher in the sky throughout the night, the meteors will increase in number. That’s why the wee hours before dawn are usually the best.

With the moon gone from the predawn sky in 2015, the most important thing is to find a dark, country sky to watch the meteors (like ACE!). Lie down on a reclining lawn chair in comfort and look up! Give yourself at least an hour of watching time for meteors tend to come in spurts and are interspersed by lulls.

*Remember that it takes about twenty minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark.

FIND YOUR LOCAL PARK AND STEP OUTSIDE