Sri Lankans will have the opportunity to witness the Orionids meteor shower in the night sky, with the celestial event expected to be best observed on October 21 and 22, according to the Arthur C. Clarke Centre in Moratuwa.
The meteor shower occurs annually in October and is caused by dust and small rock particles left behind by Halley’s Comet as it travels through the Solar System. When these particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up, producing bright streaks of light across the sky.
The particles enter the atmosphere at speeds of approximately 66 kilometres per second, creating the phenomenon commonly known as shooting stars.
According to the centre, the meteor shower is best viewed on clear nights after midnight, particularly during the hours approaching dawn.
No specialised equipment or telescopes are required to observe the event, as the meteors can be seen with the naked eye under favourable weather conditions, the centre added.
