According to M. Sato and J. I. Watanabe (2007, PASJ 59, L21) the strong Orionid meteor activity of 2006-2008 may be repeated this year. The increased activity present in 2006-2008 is apparently due to dust trails from comet 1P/Halley, ejected in 1400BC and 11BC. The orbits of these meteoroids are affected by the 1:5 and 1:8 mean-motion resonances with the planet Jupiter. This resonance effect essentially herds the debris into filaments, and the filament responsible for the increased activity in 2006-08 is expected to lie in Earth's path again around October 18-24 this year. With the moon out of the way this week, meteor watchers should be treated to higher than average counts and bright meteors.
Uptick in Orionid Meteors This Year?
According to M. Sato and J. I. Watanabe (2007, PASJ 59, L21) the strong Orionid meteor activity of 2006-2008 may be repeated this year. The increased activity present in 2006-2008 is apparently due to dust trails from comet 1P/Halley, ejected in 1400BC and 11BC. The orbits of these meteoroids are affected by the 1:5 and 1:8 mean-motion resonances with the planet Jupiter. This resonance effect essentially herds the debris into filaments, and the filament responsible for the increased activity in 2006-08 is expected to lie in Earth's path again around October 18-24 this year. With the moon out of the way this week, meteor watchers should be treated to higher than average counts and bright meteors.
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