Portuguese 
The Orionid meteor shower will peak between October 21 and 22, 2026, and can be observed from Brazil without a telescope. According to NASA, dark locations may record 10 to 20 meteors per hour, although the illuminated Moon may reduce visibility of the fainter trails.
The next Orionid meteor shower can be viewed from Brazil in the early hours of October 21-22, 2026. According to information from NASA compiled by the portal Só Notícia Boa, the phenomenon can be seen with the naked eye, and in sufficiently dark locations, the expectation is approximately 10 to 20 meteors per hour during the peak activity period.
The spectacle occurs when Earth passes through a region of space filled with small particles left by Halley’s Comet during its previous passes through the Solar System. When these fragments hit the Earth’s atmosphere at about 66 kilometers per second, they produce the bright streaks popularly known as shooting stars.
The peak of the meteor shower will be between October 21 and 22
The Orionids will remain active for over a month. According to NASA, the meteor shower activity in 2026 will span from October 2 to November 7, but the highest number of meteors is expected during the night of October 21-22.
-
295-Million-Year-Old Fossil in China Reveals Possible Seeds, Suggesting Flowering Plants Predate Dinosaurs by 150 Million Years
-
Texas Expands Electric Grid Battery Capacity 25-Fold and Sets Consumption Record in Heat Over 38°C, Managing Summer Without Blackouts; Solar Energy Stored During the Day Sustains the System Post-Sunset
-
Surreal Black Iceberg Captured by Fisherman in the Labrador Sea: Massive Dark Block with Diamond Shape Holds Ancient Secrets
-
NASA Plans to Land Astronauts at the Lunar South Pole by 2028, but Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover Suggests Landing Near the Equator First for Predictable Lighting and Emergency Evacuation Concerns
This means that it will not be necessary to observe the sky at a specific minute or extremely restricted time. The phenomenon extends throughout the night, and the best conditions mainly appear after midnight, when Earth’s position favors the observation of the Orionids in both hemispheres.
Those in areas with little artificial lighting will have a significant advantage. The darker the sky, the greater the chance of perceiving the fainter meteors, which easily disappear against the city lights.
The quantity of 10 to 20 meteors per hour, therefore, should not be interpreted as a guarantee for any observer. Weather conditions, light pollution, and the brightness of the Moon itself directly influence what can be seen.
Fragments of Halley’s Comet reach the atmosphere at 66 km per second
The Orionids are directly linked to Halley’s Comet, one of the most well-known objects in astronomy. Every time it travels through its orbit, it leaves particles along the way. Years or even decades later, Earth passes through some of these regions, and the small fragments enter the atmosphere.
In the case of the Orionids, this occurs at a speed of approximately 66 kilometers per second. The friction and heating during entry cause meteors to appear as quick streaks of light, and some may leave trails that remain visible for several seconds.
Halley’s Comet last passed near Earth in 1986 and is expected to return to the inner Solar System in 2061. Even while remaining distant, the material left along its path continues to produce observable phenomena from here.
These remnants are linked to two known meteor showers. In addition to the Orionids, observed in October, particles associated with the same comet also produce the Eta Aquariids, which occur in May.
No telescope will be needed to observe the phenomenon
Anyone wanting to observe the meteor shower will not need to purchase equipment. The recommendation is actually to use one’s own eyes, as telescopes and binoculars limit the field of view and make the observer focus on a very small portion of the sky.
For those in Brazil, the guidance provided by sources is to find a dark location, away from streetlights, illuminated buildings, and other intense light sources. After midnight, the observer can get comfortable and keep their feet pointed approximately toward the northeast.
Despite the name Orionids, it is not necessary to keep looking directly at the Orion constellation. The meteors seem to originate from that region, known as the radiant, but they can traverse various parts of the sky.
NASA recommends observing a wide area, approximately between 45 and 90 degrees away from the apparent point of origin of the shower. This increases the chance of tracking bright streaks along longer trajectories.
The moon will be 80% illuminated and may hide fainter meteors
In 2026, there will be an additional obstacle for those intending to observe the peak. The moon will be approximately 80% illuminated during the night of greatest activity, producing enough brightness to hinder the observation of fainter meteors.
The issue tends to be greater while the moon remains above the horizon. The American Meteor Society, quoted by sources, indicates that there will be a few darker hours between when it sets and dawn, although this timing varies by city.
This underscores the importance of choosing an area far from urban lighting. Even meteors bright enough to be seen under moonlight tend to appear more clearly when the observer is away from streets, buildings, and illuminated signs.
If the sky is overcast during the early hours of the peak, the opportunity does not disappear completely. The Orionids will remain active until November 7, allowing some meteors to still be visible on subsequent nights.
Eyes need about 30 minutes to adapt to the dark
Another detail that may make a difference during observation is that NASA recommends staying at least 30 minutes away from screens and other strong light sources to allow the eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Repeatedly looking at the illuminated screen of a cell phone during this time hinders this adaptation. Therefore, those wanting to watch the shower for longer will have better conditions by minimizing the use of bright devices while observing the sky.
The phenomenon also does not require that each meteor be searched for individually. The best strategy is to maintain a wide view and wait. The trails appear quickly, traverse different regions of the sky, and can disappear in a matter of seconds.
With activity scheduled between October 2 and November 7 and a peak during the early hours of the 21st to 22nd, the Orionids provide Brazilians with an opportunity to observe with the naked eye particles left by a comet that will not return to the inner Solar System until 2061.
Would you stay up late to try to see up to 20 meteors per hour passing across the sky? Share in the comments if you plan to watch the Orionid meteor shower and from which city you’ll be observing the phenomenon.
