Night of shooting stars. Orionids and Draconids.

Hunter’s Arrows, or a night of shooting stars

In just a few days, a true starry spectacle will begin in the sky—one no one should miss. First, we’ll see the Hunter’s Arrows, known as the Orionids. These meteors are extremely fast and bright. They resemble arrows shot from a bow. Their radiant lies in the constellation of Orion, the mythical hunter who, according to legend, challenged the gods themselves.

It’s no wonder the name Hunter’s Arrows comes from this hero. These meteors are remnants of Halley’s Comet, which visits the inner Solar System once every 76 years. Our planet crosses the path the comet leaves behind every year. That’s why we can admire the Orionids annually.

Don’t miss more incredible celestial wonders: Mysterious Red Dots in Space: What Are These Strange Objects?

When is the best time to watch the Orionids?

Save these dates—you’ll see the Hunter’s Arrows at their finest then:

• Activity: October 2 – November 7. The peak falls on the night of October 22–23. Start observing at 00:30 and watch until dawn, around 06:00.
• Direction: the south-eastern sky, near the star Betelgeuse.
• What to expect: 15–25 meteors per hour, fast and bright. They often leave long, luminous trails.

For the best experience, head to a location with low light pollution: rural areas, dark-sky parks, or secluded coastlines and mountains. Choose a clear night, let your eyes adapt for at least 20 minutes, and avoid bright screens. The farther from city lights, the more spectacular the show.

Because the Orionids have a long activity period, dress warmly and bring a blanket. A reclining chair helps, too. You won’t need a telescope or any specialized gear—the Hunter’s Arrows will be perfectly visible to the naked eye.

Dragon’s Rain — the fiery stars return

Meanwhile—more precisely, between October 6–10—the Draconids will appear. This shower is quite unpredictable: sometimes it’s a gentle rain of light, and other times a true meteor storm. It’s another chance to experience a night of shooting stars.

This phenomenon is caused by the comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner, which leaves behind trails of dust and ice. When our planet crosses this cosmic path, the tiny particles enter the atmosphere and ignite—much like striking a match.

The name Dragon’s Rain refers to the Draconid radiant in the constellation Draco. The meteors look as if they’re falling from the sky like the fiery breath of a mythical creature.

For ancient cultures, dragons were symbols of chaos, power, and transformation. Today, you can watch their “fiery breath” with your own eyes—just get away from city lights and find a dark spot to see the sky flare like a myth come to life.

When should you watch the Draconids?

Here’s your plan for a star-studded night:

• Activity: October 6–10. The peak falls on October 8, between 19:00–24:00.
• Direction: the northern sky, high above the horizon.
• What to expect: typically up to 20 meteors per hour.

Each meteor is more than a flashy streak in the atmosphere. It’s a fragment of an ancient comet that has been orbiting the Solar System for hundreds—sometimes even thousands—of years. When it meets Earth’s atmosphere, it becomes a nocturnal spectacle you can witness only under the stars during a night of shooting stars.

Read the original article: Spadną Strzały Łowcy i Smoczy Deszcz. Zobacz kosmiczny spektakl