The Orionid meteor shower, caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, will be visible in Sri Lanka tonight (Oct. 20) and into the early hours of tomorrow. This annual event peaks around the third week of October, with the 2025 peak occurring on October 21.
The best time to view the meteors will be during the predawn hours, especially between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., when the constellation Orion is highest in the south-southeastern sky. The lack of moonlight this year (new moon) will provide ideal conditions for stargazing.
Named for the point from which they appear to radiate—just above Betelgeuse, the second-brightest star in Orion—the Orionids are known for their speed, traveling at 66 kilometers per second. While often faint, they can still be seen with the naked eye, especially from dark, rural areas away from city lights.
The Orionids are part of the same meteoroid stream as the Eta Aquarids, with Earth passing through it twice annually. Multiple sub-showers mean meteor activity may continue for several nights, offering more chances to witness the display. (Newswire)