November Orionid Meteor Shower Guide

The November Orionids are a small meteor shower active every year in November, reaching their peak on the 28th. These meteors seem to come from the direction of the Orion constellation.

Overall, dark skies away from city lights will help make the fainter streaks easiest to see. Conditions such as local weather and moonlight play a role in how many meteors folks are able to see each year.

If you’re looking for a less frenetic but equally delightful experience, the November Orionid meteor shower offers a calm and consistent show. They deliver a majestic tranquility to the late autumn sky. Our next sections outline what to look for this year.

What Is the November Orionid Meteor Shower?

The November Orionids are quite a weak meteor shower, but one that illuminates the late autumn sky every year between November 13 and December 6.

The November Orionids sighting rates rarely exceed 3 meteors per hour. The precise origin of this shower is currently a matter of contention among astronomers.

The radiant—the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate—lies within the Orion constellation.

Best Ways to See the November Orionids

Every year, the November Orionid meteor shower peaks on November 28. It brings together stargazers from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere alike.

Look Towards the Orion Constellation

If you want to catch a maximum number of meteors, look towards the Orion constellation. The constellation is relatively easy to identify, with its three-star “belt” forming a horizontal line that’s clear and short.

Orion becomes higher in the sky as the night progresses. Locate Betelgeuse, a reddish star that forms Orion’s “shoulder,” and Rigel, a bright blue-white star at his “foot.”

Setting Realistic Expectations: Meteor Count

In a dark, rural area, viewing up to 3 meteors per hour is achievable. In suburban areas, the number decreases further, still even with one or a few bold, colorful, swift meteors can be impactful and fun.

Watching the sky, sharing stories, or simply listening to the night can make the event special, even if the meteors come slowly.

How the Moon Affects Your View

Because moonlight can easily wash out faint meteors, the phase of the moon is quite important. A full or close to full moon will wash out most of the action.

Pick nights when the moon isn’t in the sky or just a thin crescent. Apps and websites offer daily moonrise and moonset times tailored to your location. If you can plan around these times, you’ll have darker skies and the best shot at seeing some of the fainter meteors.

Find Dark Skies Away From Cities

Urban and suburban lights will wash out most of the fainter trails. For ideal viewing, make your way to a rural area, national park, or certified Dark Sky Park.

Reconnoiter your viewing location ahead of time if you can, and look out for any local rules or restrictions, such as park closing times. Make it a social event by joining a local astronomy group or an organized event.

Simple Gear for Comfortable Viewing

While meteor watching requires very little gear, a few basics make a world of difference. Comfortable viewing is essential. That way, you can recline and soak up as much sky as you can!

Wear warm clothes—November evenings can be much chillier than you might think, even in warmer areas. A thermos of coffee or hot chocolate, snacks, and a flashlight with a red filter make long waits more pleasant.

Binoculars and telescopes are wonderful tools for viewing planets and stars, but they’re not helpful for meteor showers. In fact, the opposite is true. In this case, the more you can widen your field of view, the better. Allow your eyes at least half an hour to adjust to the dark for optimal viewing.

Within half an hour, your night vision will improve to help you see the dimmer November Orionid meteor shower as well.

Patience is Your Best Friend

Meteor showers are a test of patience. Other times, meteors are seen in rapid succession, followed by a lull. Patience is your best friend.

Don’t go into this expecting to see multiple meteors per minute. Waiting under a clear, quiet sky has its own rewards. Believe us, it’s as rewarding as spotting a shooting star. Enjoy yourself, take a deep breath, and allow your eyes to roam—every meteor is a present after a lengthy wait.

My View: Cherishing the Quiet Showers

The November Orionids won’t draw big crowds or take over social media feeds. They can be challenging to watch, but they offer an exceptional and deeply satisfying experience for viewers who invest the effort. These dimmer meteors move through the night sky with a much more delicate luminosity.

For the people who invest the time to engage with it, that same quiet is actually quite soothing. From wide open spaces, far from the bright lights of the city, the quiet is palpable.

In our hectic, modern lives, that peace is a rarity. Whether you’re seeing your first meteor shower or your hundredth, appreciating the November Orionids isn’t about pursuing the brightest or the most. It’s all in the simple act of looking up, waiting, and allowing the night to reveal itself.

This meditative rhythm leaves room to feel and reflect. It’s a common refrain that there’s something special about taking a quiet shower. There is such a thing as being alone and not lonely. No phones, no rushing, just the sound of the night and the soft, meditative high of faint meteors.

Others simply enjoy these quiet moments that allow them to clear their heads. A moment to collect your ideas, enjoy the refreshing air, and marvel at the endless sky. To most of us, the delight is in the everyday drama of just observing.

The touch of cold air, the wide sky, and the sound of stillness can all bring a sense of reset. The November Orionids are a good reminder that everything beautiful doesn’t have to shake the ground to be worthy of our attention.

Conclusion

The November Orionid meteor shower adds a subtle, yet tangible, beauty to the late fall sky. Dark, clear nights, a location far from light pollution, and a little patience are all you need to see this year’s space show.

Unlike the more glamorous showers, the November Orionids aim to please the folks who enjoy peaceful, quiet, steady nights. Even if you can’t see them all, a handful of bright trails can ignite some cosmic wonder.

Invite a friend, bring along a picnic blanket, and stargaze! Clean air, solitude, space to think—and often that’s all it takes. Have a tale or suggestion from your personal skywatch? Send it our way and help us continue this star talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the November Orionids?

The November Orionids are a small meteor shower that peaks on November 28. They seem to radiate from the Orion constellation.

How do November Orionids differ from October Orionids?

The peak of the main Orionid meteor shower is in October. The November Orionids are a fainter, secondary shower. Both originate from the same constellation but November’s display has relatively few meteors.

When is the best time to see the November Orionids?

The ideal viewing time will be after midnight and just before dawn, when the constellation Orion is high in the sky to the south. Look towards clear, dark skies, ideally away from city lights to get the best view.

Do I need special equipment to watch the November Orionids?

Simply go to a dark and open location, recline and enjoy the night sky. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness for an optimal viewing experience.

See also:

• Previous meteor shower: Alpha Monocerotid Meteor Shower