The Orionid Meteor Shower is expected to put on a spectacular display in Santa Clarita as meteors streak across the night sky this weekend.

The Orionid Meteor Shower peaks this weekend, starting Friday evening and continuing until Sunday October 20-22. However, prime-time viewing is Friday, October 20, and the optimal viewing time to see the starry display is between midnight and dawn. Stargazers young and old will be treated to a particularly dazzling sky show.

“The Orionids peak on October 20 — a dark, moonless night,” said Jane Houston Jones from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a released statement. “Look near ‘Orion’s Club’ in the hours before dawn and you may see up to 10-15 meteors per hour.”

Weather reports forecast clear nights in Santa Clarita throughout the weekend, albeit with wind. However, light pollution can hinder the viewing experience.

“You want to find a dark spot, even Central Park,” said David Flynn, the president of the Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita. “The other problem you run into is trying to find a place where you can be overnight.”

Related: Santa Clarita Welcomes Local Star Gazers To Astronomy Day Celebration

The Orionid Meteor Shower is one of the few major meteor showers that occur yearly.

The meteor shower comes from the Earth crashing into particles left over from the famous icy Comet 1P/Halley, or more commonly known as Halley’s Comet. These shooting stars are called Orionids because the meteors appear to radiate out near the Orion constellation. The famed comet is projected to return to Earth in 2061.

“(The meteor showers) tend to be better between midnight and 3 a.m.,” Flynn noted.

The Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita will be holding their event “Vasquez Rocks Star Party” on October 21st at Vasquez Rocks. The event will feature a telescope workshop and a constellation talk. The star viewing event is free and open to the public.

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