Orionids meteor shower to delight skywatchers tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Astronomy enthusiasts can watch out for the peak of the Orionids meteor shower tonight, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

 â€œThe shower may reach 15 meteors per hour that may be observed at favorable sky condition,” PAGASA said.

 Robert Sawi, PAGASA weather division chief, said residents of northern and eastern Luzon may not witness the meteor showers due to cloudy skies brought by the northeast monsoon.

 The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the meteors come from the well-known constellation of Orion, the Hunter.

“Orionids move very fast at a speed of 147,300 miles per hour. At such an enormous speed, the meteors don’t last long and burn up high in the atmosphere,” NASA said.