Skywatchers in Iceland can look forward to a celestial event early on Thursday, as the Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak in the early morning of 22 October. According to the outlet Mannlíf, favourable conditions could allow observers to see up to about 20 meteors streaking across the sky each hour.
The Orionids are known for their bright, fast-moving meteors, and are composed of debris from Halley’s Comet. As reported by Mannlíf, Lifandi Vísinda notes that although Halley’s Comet was last seen from Earth in 1986, particles it left behind continue to produce the annual meteor display.
Visibility of the meteor shower in Iceland will depend on clear skies. As in much of the world, light pollution and weather conditions can have a significant effect on what is visible to the naked eye.
Background
Iceland is a Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, positioned on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Europe and North America. With a population of about 395,000, its largest city and capital is Reykjavík. The official language is Icelandic.
Sources
- Mannlíf (first reported) in Icelandic
