October is full of astronomical events, with a supermoon and dim meteor recently brightening the skies over Los Angeles.
Next week, another is coming: the Orionid meteor shower.
The Orionid shower is made up of particles from Halley’s Comet burning in the atmosphere as Earth’s orbit intersects the comet’s path, according to NASA.
This year, NASA says the view of the meteor shower will be “spectacular.” The Orionid shower gets its name the constellation Orion, which it appears alongside.
When to see the meteor shower Despite lasting until late November, NASA says the peak viewing days will be Monday and Tuesday.
Astronomical activities abound in October; most recently, a supermoon and a faint meteor illuminated the skies over Los Angeles. Another is scheduled for next week: the Orionid meteor shower.
According to NASA, the Orionid shower is composed of particles from Halley’s Comet that are burning in the atmosphere where Earth’s orbit crosses the comet’s trajectory. NASA reports that this year’s meteor shower will be “spectacular.”. “”.
The constellation Orion, with which the Orionid shower appears, is the source of its name. Griffith Observatory advises stargazers who are unsure where to focus their attention to look for Orion’s raised club.
When is the meteor shower expected?
NASA says Monday and Tuesday will be the most popular viewing days, even though it will last until late November. This is because the new moon reduces natural light, though regrettably not L. A. . light pollution that is pervasive. The meteors will be easier to see with the unaided eye in darker skies.
The American Meteor Society states that because of their incredible speed of 41 miles per second, oriids are known to leave glowing trails that can last for seconds or even minutes.
At around two in the morning, they also have a tendency to arrive from the southeast. M. as stated by NASA.
The location for viewing it.
The best place to see the flaming astral debris pieces is away from light pollution, which is a problem in a large portion of Los Angeles.
But L. 1. There are locations in the county for stargazing that can offer the best conditions.
L. . A. The most famous lookout location, the Griffith Observatory, might seem like a no-brainer. There isn’t much room, though, as the observatory declared that its public lawn will be closed until the end of November. The main observatory closes at 10 p.m., but the viewing deck will stay open. m.
With both remote campgrounds for serious stargazers and an upper parking lot for more informal viewing, Malibu Creek State Park is a well-liked choice. Another choice in the Santa Monica Mountains with minimal light interference is Topanga State Park.
There are also turnouts along the newly remodeled Angeles Crest Highway in the Angeles National Forest and along Templin Highway.
If Angelenos are willing to make the longer drive, Joshua Tree National Park is well-known for its breathtaking night sky views, and Anza-Borrego State Park is a designated dark sky zone. It takes roughly two and a half to three hours to get to both places from downtown L. 1. based on traffic.
