The Orionids
The point from where the Orionid meteors appear to radiate is located within the constellation Orion and is referred to as the radiant. The radiant is located in the northeastern part of that constellation.
This represents the view from mid-Northern latitudes at about 1:00 a.m. local time around October 21. The red line across the bottom of the image represents the horizon.
The radiant rises at about 11:00 p.m. local time and reaches its highest altitude of about 3:30 a.m.
To best observe the Orionids wear appropriate clothing for the weather and lie outside in a reclining lawn chair. The radiant is almost equally placed above the horizon for observers in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, although in opposite parts of the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere it is recommended that you lie with your feet pointing toward the south and look straight up. In the Southern Hemisphere it is recommended that you lie with your feet pointing northward and look straight up. Do not look directly at the radiant, because meteors directly in front of you will not move much and fainter ones might be missed. Other minor meteor showers will be going on at the time and stray meteors, more commonly called sporadics, will frequently be seen that do not belong to a meteor shower. When you see a meteor mentally trace it backwards and if you arrive at the region just northeast of the main body of Orion outlined in the pictures above, it is probably an Orionid.
The Orionids meteor shower
lasts from Oct 02 - Nov 11, 2005
peaks on Oct 21 st / 0910UT±48hrs
ZHR : 20 meteors/hour, velocity 66.4km/sec,
several submaxima, timing & ZHR based on
statistical analysis of past maxima
Also dont forget that this meteor show is known well for it's spectacular fireballs
Good luck and happy observing
