What to expect from the Orionids 2025
The Orionid meteor shower, a beloved autumn sky spectacle, peaks in the dark hours of late October. In 2025, observers will be treated to a rare alignment: the Orionids reach their annual crescendo just as two recently discovered comets, Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN (C/2025 R2), shine at their brightest. This convergence promises an unusually dramatic display for stargazers and photography enthusiasts alike.
When and how to watch
The Orionids burn brightest during the Oct. 20–21 peak period, according to the American Meteor Society. The event unfolds during a new moon, a phase that borrows the night’s sky of almost total darkness—ideal for spotting fast-moving meteors and bright comets. Even with optimal conditions, a clear sky is essential to maximize the experience.
For the meteor shower itself, expect around 20 shooting stars per hour at the peak. The meteors travel at roughly 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second) as they plunge into Earth’s atmosphere, producing glowing streaks that can leave a lasting impression in the viewer’s memory and camera sensor alike.
Halley’s Comet and the Orionids connection
The Orionids are a product of Halley’s Comet, famously seen from Earth during periodic visits. Halley last appeared in the inner solar system in 1986 and is not due back until 2061. As its debris graces Earth’s upper atmosphere, it creates the familiar, graceful meteor shower that bears the name Orionids: the shooting stars appear to radiate from a region just north of Betelgeuse in the Orion constellation.
Two new comets join the night sky: Lemmon and SWAN
Complicating—or perhaps enriching—the spectacle, two new comets, Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN (C/2025 R2), will reach brightening points in the hours around the Orionids peak. Astronomers indicate these comets will be visible with binoculars to casual observers at dark-sky sites, and possibly with the naked eye under exceptionally clear conditions. Observers should look for these comets in the western sky following sunset, becoming more prominent as night deepens.
The simultaneous presence of bright comets and a strong meteor shower creates a rare, multifaceted stargazing opportunity: illuminated sky debris and persistent comets offering a composite celestial show right above Earth’s horizon.
Viewing tips for a successful Orionids night
Plan ahead for a comfortable viewing session: bring a reclining chair or blanket, a low-light red flashlight to preserve night vision, and warm clothing for late-night sessions. Find a dark-sky site away from urban light pollution, with an unobstructed view toward the northeastern sky where Orion rises. Allow 15–20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and consider using binoculars to spot Lemmon and SWAN alongside the meteor streaks.
While the two comets are best seen after sunset, binoculars will reveal them in the post-sunset sky, with the most promising visibility occurring about an hour and a half after sunset. The meteors, meanwhile, will streak across the sky from any direction, but tracing their path back points toward Orion’s region adds to the magic for viewers keen on celestial navigation and photography.
Why this event matters to skywatchers
NASA and astronomical societies describe the Orionids as one of the year’s most beautiful meteor showers. The 2025 alignment adds a fresh layer of wonder: a renowned annual meteor shower coinciding with the brightening of two newly discovered comets. For amateur astronomers, this is a rare “two-for-one” sky show that highlights the dynamic and interconnected nature of our solar system’s small bodies.
