Meteor showers seen next week – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Weather permitting, Filipinos can witness up to 15 shooting stars per hour every night from Oct. 17 to 25, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Orionid meteor shower will be active beginning this week, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“At maximum rates, the shower may reach 15 meteors per hour that may be observed at favorable sky condition,” the weather agency said in its monthly astronomical diary.

 However, sometimes there are lulls even during the traditional maximum peak nights of Oct. 21 and 22, PAGASA said.

 The earth is passing through the stream of debris left behind by Comet Halley, the parent comet of the Orionid shower, the agency said.

 Orionids is the second meteor shower created by Comet Halley, according to the website, timeanddate.com.

The Eta Aquarids in May is the other meteor shower created by debris left by Comet Halley, it said.

 “Halley takes around 76 years to make a complete revolution around the sun. It will next be visible from earth in 2061,” timeanddate.com said.

 Meteor showers can be viewed with the naked eye.