Last night, Australia was treated to a celestial spectacle as a meteor shower illuminated the night sky. However, for those who missed this dazzling display, fear not. The Orionids meteor shower is still ongoing and offers ample opportunity to witness its enchanting shooting stars.

This annual event graces our skies every October, stretching over several weeks. This extended period provides stargazers with numerous chances to catch a glimpse of the meteors streaking across the heavens.

For those eager to experience this astronomical wonder, here’s everything you need to know about the Orionids meteor shower and how to view it in Australia.

Fortunately for skywatchers in the southern hemisphere, including Australia, the Orionids meteor shower is fully visible. Swinburne University’s astrophysicist, Dr. Sara Webb, has highlighted this week as the prime time for Australians to see shooting stars.

Yes, the Orionids meteor shower is visible across the southern hemisphere, including here in Australia.

Swinburne astrophysicist Dr Sara Webb said this week will be Aussies’ best chance to see a shooting star.

“With the Orionids peaking this week, it’s a perfect opportunity to head outside, away from city light and soak up the universe for an hour or so,” she said.

“Look in the direction of the Orion constellation, a very easy one to spot with your naked eye, or via the help of a night sky app.”

It is also visible in the northern hemisphere.

What causes the Orionids meteor shower?

The Orionids meteor shower is named for the constellation Orion, as the meteors appear to radiate from the same area of the sky where the constellation is located.

But it is caused by the comet 1P/Halley crossing Earth’s orbit.

The comet leaves debris in its wake, which Earth passes through, creating the Orionids meteor shower.

“When you spot the shooting star, you’ll be looking at a bit of cosmic debris left behind from a comet burning up in our Earth’s atmosphere,” Webb said.

And this is not the only meteor shower caused by Halley.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is also created by debris from the same comet.

That meteor shower occurs in May and is also visible from Australia, so keep an eye out in 2026.

Though both meteor showers are caused by Halley’s Comet, the comet itself is rarely visible from Earth.

It was last seen in Earth’s skies back in 1986 and won’t be visible again until 2061.

During the Orionids meteor shower, meteors appear as flashes of light moving across the sky – or, in plain English, shooting stars.

The meteors often originate in the area of the sky near the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

How many meteors will I see?

At its peak, up to 20 meteors are visible every hour in the Orionids meteor shower.

Generally, the number of meteors visible in the sky decreases each night after the peak until the shower ends.

What is the best time to see the Orionids meteor shower?

Technically, the best time to see it was last night – but that doesn’t mean you’ve missed out.

The Orionids meteor shower started on October 2, peaked on the night of October 21-22, and will remain active until early November.

That means meteors will still be visible for the rest of the month, though the frequency will decrease over time.

The shower will officially end around November 7.

Where can you see the Orionids meteor shower best in Australia?

The best place to see the Orionids meteor shower from Australia is from a secluded area away from bright city lights.

Pick somewhere with a clear view of the sky and check the weather forecast, as you need a clear sky to spot meteors.

A meteor shower sky map can help you locate the radiant (area where most of the meteors will appear from) and then it’s just a waiting game.

When is the next meteor shower in Australia?

Another meteor shower is already on the horizon: the Leonids.

The Leonid meteor shower will start around November 6, peak around November 17 or 18, and wrap up by the end of the month.

It will be visible from both hemispheres, meaning Australians who miss the Orionids will get another chance to witness a meteor shower soon.

After the Leonids, other meteor showers that will be visible from Australia include the Geminids in December, the Lyrids in April, and the Eta Aquarids in May.