Santa Clarita’s night sky is set to dazzle as the Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight (Oct. 20–21), offering residents a chance to witness up to 20 shooting stars per hour, all born from debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.

The Orionids, active from Oct. 2 through Nov. 7, are known for their bright, fast-moving meteors that zip across the sky at speeds of up to 41 miles per second.

During the shower’s peak, particles from Halley’s Comet burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, producing streaks of light that seem to radiate from near Betelgeuse, the red star in the constellation Orion.

The best viewing time for Santa Clarita were during the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, Oct. 21, when Orion rises high in the southern sky. With the new moon phase eliminating most natural light, conditions are ideal for catching the cosmic show.

To spot the Orionids, locate Orion in the southern sky, then look about 40 degrees away from Betelgeuse – roughly the width of four outstretched fists.

For the best experience, find a dark location away from city lights, give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust, and use a red flashlight to preserve night vision.

Don’t worry if you missed them this morning, the Orionids will remain active through October 23, with decent viewing opportunities lingering until October 26, according to the American Meteor Society.

And the show doesn’t end there: both the Northern Taurid and Southern Taurid meteor showers are also active, potentially bringing a few bright fireballs to Santa Clarita’s skies in early November.

Grab a blanket, a warm drink, and your favorite stargazing buddy for the perfect night to look up.

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