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)

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The annual Perseid meteor shower will be visible in Sri Lanka, peaking tonight and into early tomorrow morning, according to Astrophysicist Gihan Weerasekara.

Addressing the media, Gihan Weerasekara said that 100 meteors per hour are expected to be seen, given the sky conditions.

What is the Perseid meteor shower?

Meteor showers are made up of debris from comets in our solar system. This particular shower stems from a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The meteors crash into the Earth’s atmosphere at an average speed of 36 miles per second, then vaporise, leaving glowing streaks of light behind them. 

When do they peak?

The exact day that the Perseids shower peaks will be today, Tuesday, August 12. It will peak from midnight and continue until early next morning. The best time to view is at 05.00 am tomorrow, facing the North. 

How can I watch?

Just look up. There’s no need for any special equipment. You should be able to see Perseids with the naked eye, so long as the conditions are good. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankans will be able to witness one of the greatest annual meteor showers, the ETA Aquarids, early tomorrow morning (06 May).

According to Astrophysicist Gihan Weerasekara, the meteor showers will be visible between 4.00 am to 05.00 am. 

He further said that up to 50 meteors per hour could be witnessed during this period. 

-What is the ETA Aquarids meteor shower?

The debris that makes the ETA Aquarids meteors come from Halley’s Comet, which can only be seen from Earth once every roughly 76 years. 

When it returns to the inner solar system, it leaves behind the rocky dust that eventually creates the ETA Aquarids meteor shower each May.

The Aquardis meteors are known not for appearing like flashing balls of fire, but rather for leaving long glowing trails in their wake as they shoot across the sky.

-When is the ETA Aquarids meteor shower peaking?

The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, are due to peak between May 5 and May 6 as Earth passes through the densest part of Halley’s cosmic debris, according to the American Meteor Society. 

While the meteors won’t be as bright or dazzling after the peak, stargazers should still be able to catch some of the light show until about May 28.

-What time can I see the Aquarids meteors?

Like all meteor showers, the Aquarids are best viewed during the dark hours between midnight and dawn. 

You don’t need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. (Newswire/ USA Today) 

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