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Halley’s Comet may not be expected to once again brighten our night skies until 2061, but every year astronomers and budding stargazers are treated to something of an impressive reminder of the hurtling comet’s local presence as the Earth passes through its trailing debris.
Quite a light show, courtesy of Halley\'s trailing particles. Image: NASA.
More pointedly, telescopes were turned towards the constellation of Orion during the early hours of Wednesday morning as the annual Orionids meteor shower hit its peak and the autumnal night was intermittently punctuated by burning comet fragments as they fell through the planet’s atmosphere.
Although the Orionids meteor shower is expected to last for the entire week, peak viewing opportunities (inclement weather conditions notwithstanding) were between 01:00 and dawn on October 20 for those situated in rural areas free of urban light pollution.
According to UK broadsheet The Telegraph, observant Twitter users reported seeing as many as 20 falling meteors every hour during the night, although many complained that low cloud coverage prevented optimal viewing.
The last time Halley’s Comet was visible in the night sky was in 1986. The peanut-shaped comet has an average diameter of just 11 km, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and is also responsible for a second periodic meteor show called Eta Aquariids, which takes place every May.
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