Rocky rain meteorites were observed in the south of the country; Watch the video

One of the most anticipated meteor showers this year, and OrionidsIt reached its peak in the early hours of Friday to Saturday (22). What makes it even more special is its composition: “Meteors” are generated from the pieces of the tail of the famous Halley’s Comet – which last visited us 35 years ago, in 1986, and will only return in 2061 – which enter our region. Air at high speed.

A monitoring station in the city of Monte Castillo, Santa Catarina, recorded about 200 meteors during the last night. “A large part of them, at least 50, were caused by fragments of Halley’s Comet. These remnants are part of the paths formed by the comet in its paths close to the Sun,” says the owner. Josemar Justino, amateur astronomer and member of the Brazilian Meteoritic Observation Network (Bramon).

It can be seen with the naked eye from all over Brazil – a clear sky suffices. And there is still plenty of time to see it: dawn today and tomorrow are good chances to observe it intensely. Orionids remain active until November 7, with fewer and fewer meteors.

The passage of meteors is usually fast, leaving very bright traces in the night sky. Some of them may seem to explode. The point at which they converge is the constellation Orion (hence the name), which appears most clearly in the Southern Hemisphere – so our country is lucky to observe.

Watch the video interval With records this morning in SC:

How to see?

You don’t need any special equipment like binoculars or telescopes to see any meteor. The main thing is to be patient and to be in good shape.

This time around, you’ll also have to stay up late: the best time to see Orionids this week is in the early morning.

tilt Here are some tips to increase your chances of seeing a shooting star:

1. We hope for a clear sky. Find a place with low light, such as a porch or backyard. The less light pollution, the higher the chances of observing meteors.
2. Be comfortable. Sit in a chair (preferably a reclining or beach chair), protect yourself from the cold and avoid using prison cell (So ​​you don’t get distracted or dazzle your vision with the brightness of the screen).
3. be patient. It takes our eyes about 20 minutes to get used to low light and to distinguish the brightness of different celestial bodies (stars, planets, meteors).
4. Look to the east (where the sun rises) from midnight, when the constellation Orion (where the “Three Mary” is known) rises.
5. This is the radioactive of the Orionids (hence the name); This means that the meteorites will appear to converge on them. But the vision does not fit there, it can appear from anywhere around it.
6. Sky observing software (such as Stellarium, Star Walk, Star Chart, Sky Safari or SkyView) can help you find the constellation.
7. Watch carefully and wait for meteors. The best time to observe is from 2 am, when the radiation is highest in the sky. Meteors can be seen until dawn.
8. Wish for every “starlet” you see, as tradition dictates.
9. Using the camera in long exposure mode, beautiful pictures of meteor trails can be taken.

Halley’s Comet

Orionids occur every year at the end of October, when the Earth, in its transitional motion around the sun, crosses the orbit of a comet, where a series of debris and dust – fallen into the former Halley over thousands of years – float. , perhaps millions of years. , of years.

When they enter our atmosphere at very high speed (about 70 km/s), they burn up and vaporize by friction, leaving a beautiful – and harmless – luminous trail.

Our planet crosses the “road” of a comet twice a year, at two different points. It is also responsible for the Eta Aquarids meteor shower (radiant in the constellation Aquarius), which we see every May, when Earth passes through another “leg” of its orbit.

Halley visits our part of the solar system every 74-79 years. It is the only comet that can be seen regularly with the naked eye. And he leaves us with good – and wonderful – reasons to remember him every year, even when he’s away.