Orionids meteor shower reaches its peak on October 22

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An unforgettable light show featuring dozens of meteors will be visible from Spain

Orionids meteor shower reaches its peak on October 22

Image: NASA

The skies have provided us with some unbelievable spectacles this year, not least the Perseids and the enormous supermoons of the summer and now it’s autumn’s turn to put on a show with the Orionids meteor shower.

At their peak the Orionids will produce between 15 and 70 meteors per hour, travelling at a tremendous speed of 66 kilometres per second. So while the shooting stars are incredibly fast, they are numerous and patient stargazers should see plenty of action.

In Spain, the shower will reach its peak on the night of Sunday October 22 and while the light from a crescent moon might make them difficult to see early on, the skies will be clearer once the moon dips below the horizon.

The Orionids can actually be witnessed between October 2 and November 7 but this year, according to the National Geographic Institute, the best visibility will be in the small hours of October 21 and 22.

What is the Orionid meteor shower?

The Orionids are actually fragments of Halley’s Comet, or Comet 1/P Halley to give it its official name, which orbits the Sun every 76 years and was last seen from Earth in 1986.

Each October, our planet passes through a dust cloud that has detached from the comet and when these particles come into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up due to friction with the air, creating the luminous glow that is generally known as a shooting star.

The Orionids get their name because they appear to be coming from the Orion constellation.

How best to see the Orionids

Like all celestial shows, the best visibility will be found well away from street lights and other glares. No special equipment is needed to view the meteor shower, but it’s advisable to direct your gaze towards the darkest area of the sky, in the opposite direction to the position of the moon.

For the best view of the Orionids meteor shower, head to a specialised stargazing site like the expat-run Finca Astronómica in Murcia, where powerful telescopes and knowledgeable staff will be able to guide and inform your experience of the meteor shower.

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The Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation has star-themed events and activities to delight novices and experts of all ages

Astronomy Tours stargazing and astronomical activities in Murcia

Astronomy Tours runs a whole host of astronomical activities and events in the Murcia Region, from astronomical observation sessions to a magical cruise under the stars, to really fire up an interest in the cosmic world beyond our atmosphere.

Their main base of operations is the Finca Astronomica, located close to the town of La Aljorra in the Campo de Cartagena, where you can join their astronomy tours either in the daytime or at night, all year round.

At the Finca, you’re welcomed with delicious food, drinks, a bonfire and a variety of astronomical tools and gadgets. In the summer season, they also have tours in other locations, including San Pedro del Pinatar, La Manga and Camposol, not to mention their unmissable cruise under the stars, which involves a nighttime cruise on the Mar Menor with tapas and drinks, plus a guided presentation of the night sky as you watch the galaxy glide by.

The Astronomy Tours and the Finca Astronomica are supported by the Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation, which was founded in 2019 by a group of astronomers and Starlight-certified guides and monitors in the astronomical observatories in Spain.

The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the knowledge and interest in the field of astronomy and astronomy-related sciences, which covers areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, but also history, archeology, urban and medical aspects of social life, literature, art, culture and (of course) astrology.

By promoting this knowledge and getting their customers interested in astronomy, the Foundation hopes to achieve higher goals such as bringing the stars a little closer to people, and helping them to understand the importance of caring about our planet and the whole human population as a one.

To achieve those goals, the Foundation organises its day- and nighttime activities and camps which are suitable for both children and adults, and as well as this they work with Astronomy Tours stargazing and astronomical activities in Murcia

schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.

As part of this mission, they’re creating an astronomically themed park right on the Costa Cálida called the Astronomy and Science Centre which has an observatory available to the public to see the stars and the planets, and where they also promote ecofriendly and sustainable activities and closeness to nature.

The Finca Astronomica even has its own friendly and well cared for animals which live in really big spaces where people can easily enter and interact with them in their own environment.

What’s more, you can get involved in all sorts of other fun and activities for all the family at the Finca Astronomica, including glamping under the stars, stroking the animals at their petting zoo and enjoying sports like darts, archery, nerf gun fights, and many more.

This year, Finca Astronomica is excited to unveil its very own Yurt Village. Alongside the beautifully crafted wooden glamping pods, the yurts combine traditional charm with all the modern comforts including double beds, cosy carpets and plenty of shelving for your personal belongings.

But that’s not all. Each yurt comes handily equipped with light and electricity, so that you can charge your devices even as you recharge your spirit under the vast, starry sky.

This summer season is about to come alive with regular tours happening three days a week, while Adult Only Fridays are just around the corner.

Tours are available in English, Spanish and Polish.