If, like me, you've always wanted to watch a meteor shower - then you're in for a treat!
The Orionids Meteor Shower will be visible in Australia between 21-22 October 2014. For those that plan to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to experience this, we have a few observing tips for you:
Avoid city lights where possible - if you're in the city area, head to a park or somewhere with wide open space without buildings obstructing your view.
Bring a friend or two or three or ...
Rug up! Wear thick clothing or bring a blanket with you. Trust us, it's going to be cold at 3am in the morning, regardless of which city you're in.
Pack a hot drink in your thermos or flask.
Bring a chair, stool or a rug to sit on while you're waiting for the meteor shower.
Let your eyes adjust to the dark - if you're watching from home, make sure you don't switch on any bright lights while waiting for the meteor shower. It will take approximately 5 minutes before your eyes will fully adjust to the darkness.
Observe it as is or bring a pair of binoculars - the Orionids are visible to the naked eye but in the event clouds or night mist get in the way, your binoculars will help save the day.
Relax and be patient - Meteor watching requires patience but can be extremely rewarding.
Happy sighting!
*Estimated peak viewing times:
Perth - 2:00 - 4:30 am
Brisbane - 1:30 - 4:00 am
Adelaide - 3:00 - 5:00 am
Canberra - 3:30 - 5:30 am
Darwin - 1:30 - 5:00 am
Hobart - 4:00 - 5:00 am
Sydney - 3:00 - 5:00 am
Melbourne - 4:00 - 5:30 am
Disclaimer: Estimated peak viewing times are based on the fluxtimator's calculations on recent numerical models as well as each city's latitude/longitude coordinates.