Viewing the Orionid Meteor Shower in 2012

Radiant drift for the Orionids during October and early November (Courtesy the International Meteor Organization)

After the Perseids, the next major shower to occur are the Orionids. This shower is active for six weeks beginning near October 4^th. At this time the moon will be a bright waning gibbous that will be located fairly close to the radiant. Even in dark skies rates at this time would most likely be less than one shower member per hour. It would probably make more sense to wait until the weekend of October 13/14, when rates are 1-2 per hour and the slender old moon will not offer any interference. As the moon passes its new phase on October 15^th, there will be no lunar interference until the date of maximum activity (Oct 21/22) has passed.

Rates will remain low until the 17th or 18^th, when they may reach five per hour as seen when the radiant lies highest in the sky. In 1993 and 1998, strong rates, equivalent to the maximum, were reported near this time. These outbursts were also rich in bright meteors. Even though we are not expecting any early activity, the morning of the 17^th may be a good time to start your Orionid observations.

Orionid rates are expected to increase each night up to the night of maximum activity. The weekend of October 20/21 should provide nice activity. The exact maximum is predicted to occur near 0200 Universal Time on October 22^nd. The maximum is not sharp so rates may be equally strong on the mornings of the 21^st and the 22^nd. Rates for the Orionids usually remain good two to three nights after the maximum has passed. Beyond the 25^th, the rates will start to subside plus the waxing gibbous moon will now start interfering with observations as it remains in the sky nearly all night.

At the beginning of its activity, the Orionid radiant is located in northern Orion. Near the time of maximum activity it actually crosses the border into Gemini, where it remains until the last of the Orionids are seen in mid-November. As seen from mid-northern latitudes, the Orionid radiant rises in the east near 2200 (10pm) local daylight time. While some “earthgrazing” Orionids may be seen at this time, it is suggested that you wait until 0100 to begin serious observations. Of course if rates appear strong with the radiant low in the sky, by all means begin viewing immediately! Normally, decent rates will not begin to appear until the radiant has reached thirty degrees altitude. Since the Orionid radiant is located near the celestial equator, this display will be equally well seen from both hemispheres. The north may have a slight advantage as the nights are longer north of the equator that time of year.

While Orionid meteors may be seen in any portion of the sky, I usually end up facing due south and let the radiant swing though the upper portion of my field of view. This allows me to also follow the Taurids, Epsilon Geminds, and any other potential radiant that happens to be within my field of view. If you also do some research beforehand, you can memorize the positions of radiants in the northern sky and trace any meteors that enter your field of view back to their source.

Not many showers peak on a weekend so take advantage of this opportunity and let us know what you see!

Simulated Orionid meteors as seen near 5am local standard time looking north from mid-southern latitudes

Simulated Orionid meteors as seen near 4am local daylight time looking south from mid-northern latitudes

Tags: 2012 Orionid Meteor Shower Orionid Meteor Shower Orionids

Robert Lunsford

Bob has been interested in the stars as far back as he can recall His first experience with meteors was a biggie, the 1966 Leonid shower. In 1980, a major awaking occurred. He received a sample copy of Meteor News. He was amazed to learn there was a group actually devoted strictly to meteor observing! He joined the group also started to view some of the minor showers list among the pages of Meteor News. Lastly, he was contracted by Springer Publishing in 2007 to write a book on observing meteors. The book is now available and hopefully will be a useful guide to all interested in the enjoyable field of meteor observing.