One of the Year's Most Impressive Meteor Showers Peaks This Weekend—Here's How to See the Orionids

Stargazers are in for a treat this weekend—one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year will be on full display. The Orionids, which are known for their brightness and speed, come into view on October 21 and will peak on the morning of October 22, according to EarthSky.org.

The Orionids are caused when Halley's Comet makes its way through orbit, leaving rock and dust debris its wake. The debris accumulates and crosses through Earth's path, eventually becoming the Orionids in October. The last time Halley's Comet was seen by casual observers was in 1986, and the comet will not enter the inner solar system again until 2061, according to NASA. But despite this fact, the Orionids occur every year.

These meteors are quick, traveling at about 148,000 mph into Earth's atmosphere, NASA reports. Fast meteors can leave glowing trains that last for several seconds to minutes and can sometimes even become fireballs. When viewing the Orionid meteor shower, look for prolonged explosions of light.

This year, the best time to view the Orionids is during the early morning hours of October 22, during a moonless sky. The meteor shower is viewable in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres during the hours after midnight, according to NASA. Find an area away from the city or streetlights and lie on your back with your feet facing southeast if you are in the Northern hemisphere or northeast if you are in the Southern hemisphere.