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As of the time of writing (23rd October 2022), a period of high-level meteor activity is in full swing over Hawaii. Gaze up at the stars and see the beauty of nature and wonder at the marvels of the cosmos. Meteors can be seen all around the world, but some places are particular hot spots.

In the past, many people would look up and see meteors, falling stars, and comets and think of them as the harbingers of doom. Today they are scientifically understood and are one of mother nature's most stunning nightly shows. That being said, the dinosaurs were wiped out by the meteorite that hit the Earth 66 million years ago (and the crater can be seen today).

Why Meteor Showers Are Predictable & Repetitive

The repeating annual meteor showers are caused because the Earth enters into a field of debris caused by a comet. Or mostly comets as Geminids is an asteroid. Every year the Earth passes through the same debris field at the same time of year. That is why meteor showers occur at the same time every year.

  • Best Time: Between Midnight & Dawn
  • Best Direction: Southeast (Northeast If In The Southern Hemisphere)

The specific meteor shower is named after the constellation where the meteors seem to come from. One example is the Lyrid shower which is named after the constellation Lyra, the Harp. Most of the constellations appear in the east during the prime post-midnight viewing (although there can be meteors in the entire sky).

Meteor showers are best viewed after midnight (because after midnight, the part of the Earth the viewer is on faces the debris that causes the meteor shower).

Meteors or shooting stars are rocks that fall into Earth's atmosphere; meteorites are the meteors that make the through the atmosphere and crash into the Earth.

Related: Travel Deep Into The Aussie Outback To Find This Mysterious Impact Crater

Hawaii's Bishop Museum Predicts The Best Times & Places For Hawaii Meteor Shower Viewing

The Bishop Museum's J. Watumull Planetarium publishes when and where it is best to see the meteor showers specifically for Hawaii. See the Bishop Museum for star maps for each month of the year for Hawaii's latitude.

Some of the best nights to see the meteor showers on Hawaii's Big Island are: January 3rd, May 6th, July 29th, August 12th + 13th, and December 14th. Hawaii's Big Island is full of things to see and do, and watching the meteor showers is one of the top things to have on the bucket list.

After learning the best time to see the meteors, find a dark location as far away from light pollution as possible. Get comfortable - as one will be looking up. To reduce pain in the neck from constantly looking up, consider bringing a lawn chair. Try to plan to watch the meteor shower when there isn't any moon.

Related: Meteor Incoming: A Guide To Visiting The Largest Craters In The U.S.

The Orionids Meteor Shower - The Most Prolific Meteor Shower

“Each time that Halley returns to the inner solar system its nucleus sheds ice and rocky dust into space. The dust grains eventually become the Orionids in October and the Eta Aquarids in May if they collide with Earth’s atmosphere,” NASA.

Currently, the Orionids meteor shower is at its peak in Hawaii. It peaks in mid-October and is active from around September 23 to November 27. Orionids are known for brightness and speed. It is the most prolific meteor shower associated with Halley's Comet. In some years, the meteors may occur at a rate of around 50 to 70 meters per hour. The peak for 2022 was predicted to be around 20 to 25 meteors per hour.

  • Orionids Date: September 23 to November 27

They plummet down to Earth at around 148,000 miles an hour through the Earth's atmosphere and can become fireballs.

In November, the Orionids will not be as spectacular due to the waxing moon, which will decrease the visibility of the meteors. The peak of Orionids may have already passed for this year, but plan ahead and see it in all its glory when it returns next year.

Halley's Comet appears once every 76 years; the last time it came was in 1986. That means readers here will be old when the next time it returns to the inner solar system in 2061.

Next time out watching one of nature's most amazing nightly performances, don't forget to make a wish on a shooting star (one wish per star).