Share this @internewscast.com
If you happen to be up bright and early on Wednesday morning, you might be treated to some bright meteors soaring across the sky thanks to the Orionid meteor shower.
While the Orionids zoom across southern skies every October, they’re at their peak early this week on 21 and 22 October.
But while they might bring up to 18 meteors per hour, professor Jonti Horner, astronomer at the University of Southern Queensland, said they’re the “fourth best” meteor shower of the year.
“I view it as a nice warming up,” he told SBS News.

The year’s most spectacular meteor shower is set to grace the December skies, offering stargazers a celestial treat.

“This is one which, if you happen to be up at the early hours of the morning, will add a bit of value while you have your morning coffee,” Horner said.

Prepare to witness a dazzling display as fragments from Halley’s Comet light up the night. Known as the most iconic comet in our solar system, Halley’s Comet has been on its current orbit for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years.

As we move into the peak of this event, expect a surge in meteor activity as Earth passes through the densest patch of cometary dust.

You can watch the Orionids meteor shower from 2 October up until 7 November, but it’ll be at its peak in the early morning of Wednesday 22 October.
“It’s best viewed between 3am and 5am [AEDT],” Horner said.

Listen to: “Space Monster: Gas-guzzling Rogue Planet Eats All in Its Path”

“Every time it goes around the sun every six or seven years, it dumps a lot of dust and debris into the solar system,” Horner said.

Those are the meteors you’ll see over the month, he said, but we’re now entering the “densest bit of dust”, which translates to more meteors.

What can I expect to see?

That all depends on where you’re located in Australia.
“The further north you are in Australia, the better show you’ll get,” Horner said.
“The further south in Australia you go … you’ll see fewer meteors per hour than you would from somewhere further north.”
Those in Darwin could expect to see close to 18 meteors an hour at the shower’s peak.

But down south in Hobart, you might see closer to 12 each hour.

But regardless of where you are in the country, if you’ve got the right conditions and you stay out long enough, you can expect to see between 10 and 15 meteors in one hour.

‘A warm-up’ for December’s show

But Horner is quick to emphasise stargazers wanting to save their energy should wait until the end of the yea.
“We have the Geminids in December, which are an order of magnitude better than this. They’re the best shower of the year.”
He said while the Orionids might bring 10 to 15 meteors an hour, the Geminids showcase closer to 50.
“The Orionids are a good show, but it’s not the best of the year. I don’t want people going out expecting to see hundreds and then being disappointed,” he said.
The Geminids will peak on 14 and 15 December.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
In this undated photo provided Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un inspects a nuclear-powered submarine under construction at an undisclosed location.

North Korea Advances Nuclear Submarine Construction: Significant Progress Unveiled

North Korea has displayed apparent progress in the construction of a nuclear-powered…

Unveiling the Secret: Why Finland Holds the Title of World’s Happiest Nation for Decades

Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world,…

U.S. Implements Visa Restrictions on Five Europeans Over Tech Regulations

The European Union, France and Germany have condemned US visa bans on…

Stay Safe on Holiday Roads: Essential Double Demerit Rules You Need to Know in Your State

As many of us settle in for the end-of-year festivities and some…
Snow forecast for one state on Christmas Day

State Anticipates Snowfall on Christmas Day

Tasmanians could enjoy a mid-summer White Christmas – depending on where they…
This undated photo released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP)

DOJ Set to Release More Epstein Files Soon After Uncovering New Documents

The US Justice Department said that it may need a “few more…
Adelaide explosives found

Adelaide Shocked as Homemade Explosive Devices Discovered in Parked Vehicle

A routine check on a man asleep in a car in Adelaide…
The 64-year-old was an organ donor.

Tragic Hit-and-Run in Sydney Claims Beloved Grandfather’s Life: A Community in Mourning

The family of a cyclist fatally struck in a hit-and-run in Sydney‘s…
Police were called to Westfield Miranda shopping centre yesterday afternoon.

Closures and Openings: What to Expect from Now Through the New Year

The Christmas retail season is finally here, with one day of last-minute…

U.S. Investigators Discover Million More Documents in Epstein Case

The United States Justice Department has announced plans to redact sensitive information…
The Thai military fires artillery towards Cambodia, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Surin province, Thailand.

Urgent Alert: Government Hikes Threat Level for Top Tourist Hotspot – What Travelers Need to Know

The Smart Traveller website has updated its advisory, urging Australians to exercise…

NSW Tightens Gun and Protest Laws Amidst Rising Constitutional Debates

NSW Premier Chris Minns has defended emergency laws tightening gun controls and…