back to article That's gotta hurt: NASA suffers attack of the lame Orionids

A gloomy NASA isn't holding out much hope for a dazzling Orionid meteor shower display this week, as Earth passes through the debris trail of Halley's Comet. Peak activity is expected just before dawn on Thursday, 22 October. However, a rather glum Bill Cooke, of the NASA Meteoroid Environments Office, said: "The Orionids will …

  1. Tromos

    "go outside and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion"

    and get a faceful of rain

    1. Christoph

      Re: "go outside and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion"

      And see bright orange skyglow from the lights of London, drowning out the stars

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: "go outside and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion"

        1) If you live in the northern hemisphere

        2) If you live in the country - far from urban light pollution

        3) if you live in an area which is not completely clouded over in late October

        => The Sahara desert, Rural India, New Mexico and central china seem to be good candidates at this time.... sorry for the rest of you folks :-)

        1. Destroy All Monsters Silver badge
          Big Brother

          Re: "go outside and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion"

          The Sahara desert, Rural India, New Mexico and central china seem to be good candidates at this time.... sorry for the rest of you folks :-)

          Getting out in the early morning and looking at the sky all alone will probably open you up for a fast-come/fast-served "signature" drone strike in most of those places.

          Sorreeeeyy!!

        2. Martin Budden Silver badge

          Re: "go outside and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion"

          1) If you live in the northern hemisphere

          I live in Australia and I can see Orion from here... although he is standing on his head.

  2. Red Bren

    Calling their bluff

    Whenever NASA announce a spectacular astronomical event, it invariably turns out to be a wash out, or the weather in blighty intervenes.

    By setting expectations so low, it is bound to be fantastic!

    1. Lester Haines (Written by Reg staff) Gold badge

      Re: Calling their bluff

      I think that may be NASA's thinking this time around. We shall see...

      1. Destroy All Monsters Silver badge
        Pint

        Re: Calling their bluff

        Hopefully there will be an immenso-cratero in the middle of the District of Columbia after this is over.

      2. John Brown (no body) Silver badge

        Re: Calling their bluff

        "We shall see..."

        Not here. About an hour after it got a mention on the local news the rain arrived. It looks like it will clear up by tomorrow lunchtime...then the next "wave" arrives on Wednesday evening. In other words SNAFU as far as interesting skywatching goes here in the UK.

  3. David Harper 1

    The Orionids are not a major shower

    In fairness to NASA, the Orionids are not one of the most spectacular annual meteor showers. In terms of the average number of meteors per hour, they are on the low side. You'd be better off waiting until mid-December for the Geminids.

    1. Steve Goodey
      Joke

      Re: The Orionids are not a major shower

      What about the Haemorrhoids? A decent show?

      1. Ralph the Wonder Llama
        Joke

        Re: The Orionids are not a major shower

        If it's a major shower you want to see, look no further than The Palace of Westminster, any day of the week.

      2. Phil O'Sophical Silver badge
        Coat

        Re: The Orionids are not a major shower

        What about the Haemorrhoids?

        You're just itching to see them, I'll bet. They're only visible in places where the sun isn't shining, though.

        1. Martin Budden Silver badge

          Re: The Orionids are not a major shower

          What about the Haemorrhoids?

          Just look towards Uranus.

    2. david 12 Silver badge

      Re: The Orionids are not a major shower

      Not in the Southern hemisphere. Geminids are mostly below the horizon. Orionids is one of the few chances for a decent show -- but Alice Springs is more likely to be clear and dark, not Melbourne or Sydney

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Don't look to the skies!

    Triffids!

  5. Andy The Hat Silver badge

    Re: "go outside and look up in the direction of the constellation Orion"

    What?

    If the radiant is Orion then the worst place to look is at Orion. Looking at roughly 90degrees to the radiant will give a wider view of possible meteor paths and higher possibility of seeing things ... though the best ones always fall behind you!

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