The Orionids: A Dazzling Meteor Shower in Upstate New York

Another spectacular show will light up the Upstate New York night sky this month. The Orionid meteor shower will bring a lot of shooting stars.

The Orionids meteor shower is a must-see event for stargazers, and in 2024, you can catch it from October 2 to November 7, with its peak on the night of October 21 into the early morning of October 22. It’s one of the best meteor showers of the year, offering up to 20 meteors per hour during its peak.

This shower happens because Earth passes through bits of debris left by Halley’s Comet, which burn up in our atmosphere and create bright streaks of light across the sky. The meteors seem to originate from the constellation Orion, but don’t worry if you can’t find it, just look up and enjoy the show!

For those in Upstate New York, the best time to watch is after midnight, when the shower is most active and the sky is darkest. Make sure to get away from city lights and find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky. Bring a blanket or chair to stay comfortable while you watch.

The moon is expected to be a first quarter moon this year, which means it’ll set around midnight, leaving the sky nice and dark—perfect for spotting those meteors. The best viewing hours are between midnight and dawn, so grab some warm clothes, and a hot drink, and enjoy one of nature’s coolest light shows.