Moon Dynamics for Orionids Meteor Shower in 2025

The visibility of a meteor shower depends on the Moon's position and brightness. This chart provides a detailed view of the moon dynamics for this specific meteor shower, helping you determine the best times to observe.

The blue and white areas represent night and day, while the reddish area highlights when the radiant is above the horizon. A white line marks the radiant's transit time, and the grey area shows when the Moon is above the horizon. While many focus on the meteor shower's peak date, it is often preferable to choose a time with dark skies rather than one where the Moon's brightness interferes with visibility. Click on the chart to view detailed Sun and Moon events for a specific date in the table above, ensuring you have all the information needed for a perfect stargazing experience.

Orionids Meteor Shower

The Orionids are an annual meteor shower that usually peaks around October 21–22. They originate from debris left by Halley’s Comet (1P/Halley), the same parent body that produces the Eta Aquarids in May.

What to expect

• Typical rate: about 15–25 meteors per hour under dark, moonless skies during the peak.
• Speed: very fast — roughly 66 km/s — so meteors appear as quick, bright streaks.
• Trains: many Orionids leave persistent glowing trails (or “trains”) that can linger for several seconds.
• Radiant: the meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Orion, near the star Betelgeuse.

Best time to watch

The best viewing window is after midnight until dawn, when Orion is high in the sky. For casual observing, find a dark location away from city lights, lie back, and look at a wide patch of sky — you do not need to stare at Orion itself.

Visibility tips

1. Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark.
2. Avoid using bright screens or flashlights; use a red-filtered light if necessary.
3. Check the Moon phase: bright moonlight can reduce the number of visible meteors significantly.
4. Dress warmly and bring something comfortable to lie on — meteor watching often involves long, still periods.

Discover the Orionids Meteor Shower, including:

Radiant Position:

• Right Ascension: 06h 28m 00s"
• Declination: 15° 42' 00s

Peak Activity: This meteor shower is active from October 13 to November 12, with peak activity typically occurring around October 23, when the shower’s rate of meteors per hour is at its highest.

Associated Parent Comet: The Orionids originates from debris left by 1P/Halley. The comet's debris intersects Earth's orbit, creating the meteor shower.

Orionids Observation History

This section provides a record of previous meteor shower activity, including the start, end, and peak dates. While meteor showers are often associated with traditional dates, it's important to note that these dates may vary slightly each year due to solar and atmospheric conditions.

This table serves as a helpful reference, and observers should be aware that the exact dates may shift. Be sure to check updated forecasts closer to the event to determine the best time to observe the shower, as these dates can differ from year to year.

Use this historical data as a guideline for when meteor showers typically occur, but remember that the exact timing may vary slightly each year.