The Orionid Meteor Shower occurs annually in mid-October, peaking for about two nights with about 10-20 meteors per hour, and maybe more.

The dust particles producing the Orionids come from Halley's Comet, which passes by Earth every 75 years or so. The comet leaves a trail of gas and dust as it makes an oblong orbit around the Sun. The Earth's orbit crosses this trail each year in May and October.

The best viewing time for the Orionids is about 2 a.m. in a location away from city lights.