Orionid meteor shower peaks over UK skies on Oct. 22

The Orionid meteor shower reached its peak on the early hours of October 22, 2026, according to BBC Weather. Observers could see as many as 10–20 meteors per hour under clear skies, a figure also reported by Wired and Live Science. The meteors are visible to the naked eye, so no special equipment is required.

The Orionids are fast, entering Earth’s atmosphere at about 41 miles per second (66 km/s). Their high speed can produce bright streaks and occasional fireballs, which are sometimes as bright as the planet Venus. The meteors appear to originate from the radiant near the constellation Orion, close to the star Betelgeuse.

The waxing gibbous moon, illuminated about 71% of its surface, was present on the night of October 21 and reduced visibility. The moon set around 03:00 BST, creating a window of darkness before dawn when the best viewing conditions occur. Weather forecasts indicated wet and windy conditions, but brief clear spells were possible in parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The Orionids are caused by Earth passing through debris left by Halley’s Comet. The comet last traversed the inner solar system in 1986 and will return in 2061. Each time the comet passes close to Earth, it sheds dust and rocky particles that later produce meteor showers such as the Orionids and the Eta Aquariids.