Upstate New Yorkers: Check Out Orionids Meteor Shower This Week

If you are going to lose a little sleep, watching shooting stars with a cozy blanket and a warm drink sounds like a pretty good reason.

The Orionid meteor shower peaks Wednesday night, October 21st, into Thursday morning, October 22nd. For Upstate New Yorkers, it could be worth setting an early alarm.

But there is one thing working against us this year: moonlight. A bright moon could make the fainter meteors harder to spot, so your best chance comes before dawn, after the moon sets.

Under dark skies, the Orionids typically produce about 10 to 20 meteors an hour. That does not mean you will catch every one, but a little patience could reward you with some beautiful streaks across the sky.

Here is how to give yourself the best shot. Find somewhere away from streetlights, parking lots, and bright buildings. An open view of the sky helps, too.

Bring a reclining chair or spread out a blanket so you can look up comfortably. And definitely bundle up. October mornings around here are not exactly known for being warm.

Give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and resist checking your phone.

Although these meteors appear to come from the constellation Orion, you do not have to find it to enjoy the show. Just watch the sky.

Those flashes come from debris left behind by Halley’s Comet, which makes the whole thing even cooler.

Now we just need the clouds to cooperate. Fingers crossed.