Tonight, October 20, Vietnam welcomes the beautiful Orionids meteor shower

On the night of October 20 to the morning of October 21, astronomy lovers can watch the beautiful Orionids meteor shower. This is the biggest meteor shower of the year.

According to Mr. Dang Vu Tuan Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Young Astronomy Association, tonight (October 20) and early morning of October 21, astronomy lovers will have the opportunity to welcome the Orionids meteor shower. This is one of the biggest meteor showers of the year.

Mr. Dang Vu Tuan Son said that viewers only need to use the naked eye to observe the Orionids. This year, meteor viewers will not be hindered by moonlight like in 2016.

Photo: Young Vietnamese Astronomy

To admire this phenomenon, astronomers advise people to face East and focus on observing for 5 to 10 minutes to let your eyes get used to the darkness.

The meteor shower can appear from 10:30 am. However, the best time to watch the meteors will be after 0:30 am, early morning on October 21. Around 3:30 - 4 am, the constellation will be at its highest, then move west.

According to Jane Houston Jones (Nasa): "The Orionids meteor shower on October 20 will take place on a moonless evening, so in the pre-dawn hours, you can admire 10 to 15 stars per hour".

The Orionids meteor shower consists of dust particles burned by Halley's Comet. As the Earth moves around the sun in its orbit, it passes through the dust left behind by Halley's Comet.

These meteoroid fragments rub against the air and burn up, creating streaks of light that we call meteors. This comet passed by Earth in 1986 and will return again in 2061.

Every year, the Earth's orbit intersects the orbit of Halley's Comet twice, once in May, producing the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, and once in October, producing the Orionids meteor shower.

Note:

You should wear warm clothes before going out, especially in the northern provinces.

Check the weather before deciding to observe. Choose a wide viewing angle, avoid choosing a place with direct light.

According to VNN