Orionid meteor shower to light up Azerbaijani skies Details

Stargazers across Azerbaijan will be treated to a dazzling celestial display as the annual Orionid meteor shower becomes active in the night skies from October 2 to 7, according to the Department of Astrophysics at the Faculty of Physics, Baku State University.

The meteor shower, which originates from the Orion constellation, is expected to reach its peak on the night of October 21 to 22 — from Tuesday into early Wednesday morning. Astronomers say this will be the best time to witness the event, as the Orion constellation rises above the horizon after midnight, offering ideal viewing conditions, according to Caliber.Az.

If weather conditions remain clear, the phenomenon will be easily visible throughout Azerbaijan without the need for telescopes or special equipment.

The Orionids are known as one of the brightest and fastest meteor showers of the autumn season. At peak activity, observers may see up to 20 meteors per hour streaking across the sky. These meteors are fragments left behind by Halley’s Comet, which has created a trail of dust and debris that Earth passes through each year.

Traveling at speeds of up to 66 kilometers per second, Orionid meteors produce short-lived but brilliant streaks of light as they burn up in Earth's atmosphere. The shower is considered a highlight of the autumn astronomical calendar and offers an excellent opportunity for night-sky photography and public observation.

Residents are advised to find a dark location away from city lights and allow time for their eyes to adjust to the darkness for the best viewing experience.

By Sabina Mammadli