Skywatchers are set for something special after dark on Monday, Oct. 20, through Tuesday, Oct. 21, when an annual meteor shower produced by Halley's Comet peaks just as two recently discovered comets reach their brightest points in the night sky.
According to the American Meteor Society, the Orionid meteor shower runs from Oct. 2 through Nov. 7, peaking on Oct. 20 to Oct. 21. That coincides with a new moon — when the moon is between Earth and the sun and is absent from the night sky — meaning the rare sky show should benefit from profound darkness. However, clear weather will still be required to see meteors and the brightening comets Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN (C/2025 R2).
