Orionid Meteor Shower 2022: how to see the meteor shower in Newcastle, when it peaks and weather forecast

From the constellation of Orion, the annual Orionids meteor shower makes its way across Newcastle skies this Friday.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Newcastle stargazers will be looking to the stars once again this week, as another space weather phenomenon takes place; the Orionid meteor shower. The shower is due to peak on October 21 but don’t worry if you miss it as it will continue until November 7, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich.

One of the best known meteor showers to occur annually, the comet follows its path around the sun, leaving a path of tiny debris. The cometary debris enters our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of around 41 miles per second, vaporising from friction with the air causing the streaks of light we call meteors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The popularity of the Orionid meteor show with astronomists stems from their origin: the meteors are actually pieces of Halley’s comet, which passes earth once every 75 to 76 years. The shower itself is somewhat of a consolation prize for those who may miss the Halley’s comet event (or 1P/Halley for our astronomical readers.)

The meteor shower takes its name from the constellation Orion, which if stargazers were to follow the path of the shower can trace its origins from that group of stars and the trails themselves in the sky can be caused by particles as small as grains of sand.

So for the curious, the initiated or those that want to do something different on Friday night in Newcastle, Newcastleworld is here to give you some advice and an answer to that all important question: should I wrap myself up extra warm for the Orionid meteor shower this week?

How can I best view the Orionid meteor shower in Newcastle?

The Royal Museums Greenwich has advised that Newcastle residents can see the meteors in all parts of the sky, so it’s good to be in a wide open space with minimal light pollution where you can scan the night sky with your eyes. But if you trace the paths that the meteors take, they seem to originate from the constellation of Orion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The RMG also says that “hunting for meteors, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game, so it’s best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while. They can be seen with the naked eye so there’s no need for binoculars or a telescope, though you will need to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark.”

What will the weather be like to watch the Orionid meteor shower in Newcastle?

The Met Office have forecasted that Newcastle will be unsettled but mild, with bands of heavy rain and showers, perhaps thundery, pushing erratically northwards interspersed with clearer spells. Occasional mist or fog patches and strong winds at times, Newcastle on Friday will have a high of 13c, a low of 12c and will see the sunset begin at 5:45pm