Donegal’s skies will be graced by the Orionid meteor shower later tonight.
This special meteor shower is caused by particles from Halley’s Comet, and is considered a big event for astronomy buffs as the comet only passes earth once every 75 to 76 years.
Hurtling past Earth at a massive 148,000 miles per hour, this shower is one of the brightest in the celestial calendar.
To see this gorgeous display no special equipment is required. Simply look to the sky, with the meteors being most visible when away from other light sources such as streetlights.
The best time to catch this spectacle is at 2am, however conditions may be overcast tonight due to Storm Brian’s arrival to Irish shores.
Space.com explains why we will see these meteors: “As the icy comet makes its way around the sun, it leaves behind a trail of comet crumbs. At certain times of the year, Earth’s orbit around the sun crosses paths with the debris.”
“Sometimes the shower peaks at 80 meteors an hour; at others it is closer to 20 or 30.”
“Go out around 1:30 a.m. and let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 20 minutes. Bundle up against the cold if necessary. Lie back and use only your eyes to watch the sky. Binoculars and telescopes won’t improve the view, because they are designed to see more stationary objects in the sky.”
The next time Halley’s Comet will whizz by is expected around July 2061, making the Orionid meteor shower a special treat for stargazing enthusiasts.
Spot something? We’d love to see any pictures you snap of tonight’s meteor shower! You can get in touch by emailing info@donegaldaily.com
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