October 17, 2026

The Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight on October 21-22, bringing a spectacular display of shooting stars as Earth passes through the debris trail of Halley's Comet. This event is a great opportunity for sky-watchers to see a high number of meteors in a short period, with the potential for 10-20 shooting stars per hour under ideal conditions. The best viewing time will be between midnight and dawn on October 22, when the moon will have set and the sky will be darker. Sky-watchers should plan to observe during this window to maximize their chances of seeing the most meteors.

A new Astronomy Picture of the Day features a 3D image of Comet 67P, also known as Churyumov-Gerasimenko, captured by the Rosetta spacecraft's OSIRIS camera. This image is exciting for sky-watchers because it provides a unique and immersive view of a comet's nucleus, allowing us to better understand the composition and structure of these celestial bodies. By viewing the image with red/blue glasses, astronomy enthusiasts can experience the comet's jagged and double-lobed nucleus in stunning detail.