Orionids 2026: night of October 21/22 – when and where to watch?
The Orionids are an autumn meteor shower that is exceptional for one reason — their source is the most famous comet in the history of astronomy, 1P/Halley. It is the same comet that returns to the inner Solar System roughly once every 76 years, while Earth crosses its debris stream twice each year — in October for the Orionids and in May for the Eta Aquariids.
Also see the meteor shower calendar and the 2026 astronomical events calendar.
Meteor shower calendar 2026
Compare peak dates, shower activity, Moon conditions and the best observing nights.
View meteor calendar
Astronomical events calendar 2026
Check the most important sky events month by month and plan your observations in advance.
View astronomical events calendarOrionids 2026 – key facts
Orionids 2026 — key facts at a glance
The table below summarizes the key information needed to plan your observations: date, conditions, location and practical preparation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 2026
Monthly guide
Sky events in September 2026: meteors, equinox and the Moon
Sky events in September 2026: ε-Perseids, New Moon, equinox, Neptune, Full Moon, aurora, space missions and the best observing nights in Poland.
Open guide
OCTOBER 2026
Monthly guide
Sky events in October 2026: Draconids, Orionids and Saturn
Sky events in October 2026: Saturn, Draconids, New Moon, Orionids, Taurids, Full Moon, space missions and the best observing nights.
Open guideWhen are the Orionids in 2026?
The Orionids are active through much of October, with their 2026 maximum falling on the night of October 21/22. The shower has a fairly broad maximum, so useful observing opportunities extend across several nights around the peak.
Where should you look for the Orionids?
The radiant lies in the constellation Orion, one of the easiest constellations to recognize in the night sky and visible from late evening. Watch a broad area of sky around Orion rather than staring directly at the radiant.
Will the Moon interfere in 2026?
In 2026 the Moon will be bright during the first part of the night. On October 21 in Warsaw it will be about 78.7% illuminated and will set at around 01:02. After moonset, a darker observing window remains while the Orionid radiant is already at a favorable altitude. Because the shower has a broad maximum, it is also worth observing on the nights around October 21.
What are the Orionids and where do they come from?
The Orionids are produced by particles left behind by comet 1P/Halley — the most famous periodic comet, visible to the naked eye from Earth roughly once every 76 years (most recently in 1986 and next in 2061). Orionid meteors enter the atmosphere at about 66 km/s, making them particularly fast and often bright.
How to prepare for the Orionids in 10 minutes
- Bring warm clothing — October nights are already noticeably cold.
- Choose a location with a clear view toward the eastern and southeastern sky.
- Plan your observing session after midnight, when Orion is higher above the horizon.
- Give your eyes time to adapt to the dark.
- Check cloud cover in the live storm and precipitation radar.
How to photograph the Orionids?
A tripod, wide-angle lens and a series of multiple exposures work best. More tips are available in the guide on how to photograph the night sky and stars.
NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
How to photograph the night sky and meteors?
Learn camera settings, lens choice, manual focusing and how to work with a series of multiple exposures.
October can also be a good month for northern lights observations — check the northern lights radar.
LIVE TOOL
Northern lights radar
Check current space-weather parameters, the aurora forecast and conditions for selected locations.
Frequently asked questions about the Orionids
When are the Orionids in 2026?
The maximum falls on the night of October 21/22, 2026.
How many meteors can you see during the Orionids?
Under typical peak conditions, the ZHR is 20+, meaning about 20 or more meteors per hour under an ideal dark sky.
Where do the Orionids come from?
Their source is the famous comet 1P/Halley.
How do the Orionids differ from the Eta Aquariids?
Both showers come from Halley’s Comet, but Earth crosses its debris stream at two different points in its orbit — in May for the Eta Aquariids and in October for the Orionids.
Where should you look to see the Orionids?
The radiant lies in the constellation Orion, but it is best to watch a broad area of sky around it.
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Read next: more meteor showers and tools
Compare neighboring showers, check the Moon phase and prepare your camera before your next observing night.
Draconids 2026
Check the previous shower in the annual calendar, its peak, Moon conditions and the best observing hours.
View previous showerTaurids 2026
Go to the next shower and plan your observing location, time and an alternative night in case of cloud.
View next shower
Moon phases 2026
Compare the shower peak with the full Moon, new Moon, moonrise and moonset before choosing your observing night.
Check Moon phasesHow to photograph the night sky and meteors
Camera and phone settings, tripod, focus, ISO, exposure time and preparing a sequence of images for meteors.
Open photography guide