Rizqa Dwi NurMahmudah

The Peak of the Orionid Meteor Shower This Weekend Is Visible in Indonesia

Teknologi | 2023-10-22 11:46:42

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) describes the Orionids as "one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year." If you find yourself outdoors before dawn and glance upward, catching sight of a shooting star, there's a high probability that what you witnessed was the Orionids. This is because the third week of October marks the zenith of the Orionid meteor shower, resulting from the remnants Halley's Comet cast off. Meteor showers can manifest themselves in various parts of the sky. However, it seems that their point of origin is close to Betelgeuse, the renowned red giant star in the Orion constellation.

As per the American Meteor Society (AMS), the ideal period for observing the meteor shower is from 1 a.m. CDT until daybreak when the Orionid radiant is positioned at an elevation greater than 30 degrees above the horizon. NASA suggests that spectators should orient themselves to the southeast, directing their gaze towards the Orion constellation. Quoting from Space.com, this year, the Orionid peak is anticipated to occur just before dawn on Sunday morning, October 22nd. Orion is typically associated with the winter season. However, during this early autumn period, it becomes visible in front of our trajectory around the sun, and therefore, it doesn't fully rise above the eastern horizon until after 11 p.m. local daylight time.

According to Agus Triono PJ, a research staff member at Bosscha Observatory in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, the Orionid meteor shower's peak will be visible in Indonesia, provided the weather is clear. He stated, "Observers can be ready from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM (WIB) between October 20 and 21, 2023," in a separate statement on Friday. It same goes for Clara Yono Yatini, an astronomy and astrophysics researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) who said the peak of the meteor shower will occur tonight (October 20, 2023) until tomorrow (October 21, 2021) in the early morning and it can be witnessed directly in Indonesia. For the best time to observe starts around 1 or 2 a.m. local time and lasts until dawn starts to break, around 5:45 a.m. This is when Orion is at its peak in the southern sky. The higher Orion's position in the sky, the more meteors can be seen. The Orionids are one of the few meteor showers that can be observed well from both the northern and southern hemispheres of the sky.

The Orionid meteor shower is a captivating and awe-inspiring event that allows us to witness a fraction of the incredible phenomena in the universe. It's a reminder of the beauty that lies beyond our planet and an opportunity to connect with the cosmos in an enchanting way. For those who want to take the time to observe the Orionid meteor shower, it can be a very meditative experience. It's a chance to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, gaze up at the sky, and contemplate the mysteries of the universe. In an age where our connection to nature is often overshadowed by technology and urban life, the Orionids offer a valuable reminder of the majesty of the night sky.

References

https://www.space.com/

https://okuselatan.disway.id/