Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight Oct. 21-22, pre-dawn viewing best, Wired reports

The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight Oct. 21-22, with prime viewing in the pre-dawn hours if skies are clear, Wired reports. The annual display, produced by debris from Halley’s Comet, matters now because its fast, bright streaks are visible worldwide in both hemispheres without telescopes. Under dark skies, observers can typically expect around a dozen or more meteors per hour, with rates varying year to year, according to Wired.

To maximize your chances, Wired advises finding a clear, dark location, looking generally east near the constellation Orion, and giving your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust. The outlet notes late-night to early-morning hours yield the steadiest rates, and notably flags additional autumn skywatching highlights ahead, from other meteor showers to bright planetary views. [Developing. This article will be updated.]