Sri Lankans will have the opportunity to witness the Orionids meteor shower, which is currently visible in the night sky, the Arthur C. Clarke Centre in Moratuwa said.
The annual celestial event occurs in October and is expected to be most clearly visible this year on October 21 and 22.
The meteor shower occurs when dust and small rock particles left behind by Halley’s Comet enter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, producing bright streaks of light across the sky.
These particles enter the atmosphere at speeds of approximately 66 kilometres per second, creating the glowing trails commonly known as shooting stars.
The phenomenon is best observed after midnight, particularly towards dawn, when the sky is clear.
No telescope or special equipment is required. The meteor shower can be viewed with the naked eye by looking towards the Orion constellation, also known as the Hunter, above the eastern horizon.
