Orionid meteor shower peaks on the night of October 21‑22, 2026

The Orionid meteor shower peaks on the night of October 21‑22, 2026 (Sortirapariscom, Geo News, Astronomy Magazine). Sortirapariscom reports that the shower occurs each year when Earth passes through the dust trail left by Halley’s Comet, creating the Orionid meteors; the particles involved are often smaller than a grain of sand and glow when they hit the atmosphere at high speed, and Orionid meteors travel at about 66 kilometres per second.

The Orionid shower is active annually from October 2 through November 7 (Sortirapariscom, Geo News). During the 2026 peak, Astronomy Magazine reports an expected rate of fifteen to eighteen meteors per hour in the early‑morning hours. The International Meteor Organization forecasts roughly twenty meteors per hour when the sky is nearly pitch black (Sortirapariscom). After the waxing gibbous moon sets, observers can see about ten meteors per hour in a truly dark location (Sortirapariscom).

Historical records show the Orionid shower has been observed since at least 585 AD, noted by Chinese and Japanese astronomers (Geo News). Halley’s Comet debris generates two yearly showers: the Orionids in October and the Eta Aquarids in spring (Sortirapariscom).

The best time to watch is in the final hours before dawn, when the radiant is high and viewers should face southeast (Sortirapariscom). No need exists to fixate on Orion because meteors cross the whole sky, so lying back and sweeping the view works best (Sortirapariscom).

Observing the Orionids requires no telescope or binoculars and is free; viewers should check the cloud‑cover forecast from Météo‑France before heading out, and the Association française d’astronomie and the Société astronomique de France regularly share observing tips and events. Light pollution in cities such as Paris reduces visibility; darker sites like the Vexin Français Regional Natural Park in Val‑d’Oise or the Fontainebleau Forest in Seine‑et‑Marne are advised.

The nights of October 20‑21 through October 22‑23 also offer viewing opportunities, and NASA states the Orionids remain active until November 7 2026.

On October 21 2026 the Moon rose at 3:56 p.m., set at 2:15 a.m. and was 81 percent illuminated; on October 22 2026 the Moon rose at 4:18 p.m., set at 3:20 a.m. and was 89 percent illuminated; on October 23 2026 the Moon rose at 4:41 p.m., set at 4:26 a.m. and was 95 percent illuminated (Astronomy Magazine).

The optimal meteor‑watching period on October 21 is between 2 a.m. local daylight time and dawn, after the Moon has set and the Orion radiant (the point in the sky from which meteors appear to originate) is rising; around 5 a.m. the Orion belt is readily seen above the southern horizon, with meteors appearing to come from just northeast of Betelgeuse, and observers should look 40° to 60° away from Betelgeuse to see meteors with the longest trains.

After the peak, meteor rates stay above the typical six sporadic meteors per hour seen on non‑shower nights.