A great time for astronomy fans! Between the comet of the century, the aurora borealis and a beautiful Super Moon, there's a new shower of shooting stars in our skies. Every year, meteor showers pass through the Earth's atmosphere, and this October brings us the Orionids, visible from October 2 to November 7, 2024, peaking on October 21. If this year's rainy weather isn't doing us any favors when it comes to observing the skies, calmer weather may give us hope of a pretty show!
Far from the hundreds of meteors of the Perseids or even the sixty or so of the Geminids, this shower passing through the constellation of Orion (which forms a hunter with its arrow) produces almost 20 per hour all the same! Unfortunately, the Moon is still almost full, and in the constellation Taurus, right next to the one we're interested in. But with a bit of luck, it's possible to see them with the naked eye, even outside the radiant.
Just in case, raise your eyes to the bright star Betelgeuse after midnight, until the constellation is clearly visible from the southeast. Caused by the ice and dust of comet 1P/Halley, like the Eta Aquarides, they are known for their speed, leaving bright trails and even fireballs behind them!
Of course, with the light pollution of cities even at night, it would be better to be in the countryside or high up in the mountains to get a good view of the shooting stars. And don't forget to make a wish!
The best places to see shooting stars in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
Numerous shooting star nights occur throughout the year. These stars can be admired if the weather allows it, in places where pollution is less. But where to find these rare pearls in Paris and Ile-de-France? [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From October 19, 2024 to November 7, 2024
The best places to see shooting stars in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
