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An interesting meteor shower — the “Orionids” meteor shower — is now on display in the sky.

Here in the Philippines, however, it is being overshadowed by news about typhoons.

Even the chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) appeared to have forgotten about the annual meteor shower seen from Oct. 17-25, with its traditional peak nights on the 21st and the 22nd.

PAGASA Director Dr. Prisco Nilo, appeared surprised when asked about the “Orionids” meteor shower.

After a long pause, he grinned and answered in Filipino: “I’m sorry, I’ve only been thinking about typhoons lately. I’ve forgotten about it (Orionids).”

Regaining his composure, Nilo said the “Orionids” would be seen by Filipinos in the next three nights as the country has yet to feel the effects of typhoon “Ramil.”

PAGASA, in its astronomical diary for this month, said “the Orionids meteor shower is capable of producing interesting activity from Oct. 17-25.”

“At maximum rates, the shower may reach 20 meteors per hour that may be observed at favorable sky condition, but sometimes there are lulls even during the traditional maximum peak nights of Oct. 21-22,” PAGASA said.

PAGASA, however, warned astronomy enthusiasts that “at any given morning session, the meteor shower may be more or less interesting than expected.

“In any case, clear mornings during the activity period are always good times to look for meteors from dark sites. The Orionids are fast meteors and can produce fireballs. The radiant of the shower will be observed north of Betelgeuse, the brightest star in the constellation Orion, the Mighty Hunter,” PAGASA said.

Source: Manila Bulletin