Michigan sky gazers are in luck this month, there will be four shooting star displays, or meteor showers, in the night skies during October.
The Draconids, Orionids, Southern Taurids and Northern Taurids are combining to create a monthlong light show, according to EarthSky.
Keep an eye out for clear skies and head to your nearest dark sky area when they’re overhead, but keep in mind the Harvest Moon, which peaked Monday night, might hinder early October viewing even with good weather.
Here’s what to know about upcoming meteor showers.
When will the Draconids peak?
The Draconids, which began Oct. 6, are active until Oct. 10, 2025. The peak is expected Wednesday, Oct. 8.
What is the Draconids meteor shower?
The Draconids is a meteor shower marked by weak activity in recent years, according to Space.com. This year, viewing may be further complicated by the Harvest Moon, which peaked night of Oct. 6.
The meteors appear to come from the area of the constellation Draco in the sky, with Draco’s high point in the sky making viewing more ideal in the evening hours, EarthSky says.
When will the Orionids meteor shower peak?
The Orionids, which began Oct. 2, will continue to be active until Nov. 12, 2025. The meteor shower will peak Oct. 22-23.
What is the Orionids meteor shower?
The Orionids is a fast, bright meteor shower known as one of the year’s most beautiful, according to NASA. The shower produces about five to six meteors per hour traveling 41 miles per second and leaving behind glowing trains of debris and fireballs, NASA said.
The meteors appear to come from the area of the constellation Orion, though NASA notes the “constellation is not the source of the meteors.” They will be visible anywhere in the night sky and looking away from the what appears to be the source of the meteors, or the radiant, is best for longer views, NASA suggested.
When will the Taurids meteor showers peak?
The Southern Taurids, which began Sept. 10, will be active through Nov. 20, 2025, according to EarthSky. The Southern Taurids will peak Nov. 3-4, 2025, when the moon will be 96% full, the American Meteor Society said.
The Northern Taurids will be active from Oct. 20 to Dec. 10, 2025, EarthSky said. The Northern Taurids will peak on the Nov. 8-9, 2025, when the moon will be 83% full, the AMS said.
What are the Taurids meteor showers?
The Taurids area slow, long-lasting meteor showers. They overlap between late October and early November, according to Space.com. The meteors travel at 17 miles per second, with the shower producing about five meteors per hour.
The meteors appear to come from the area of the constellation Taurus, though the meteors will be visible throughout the night sky.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet or, less commonly, an asteroid, according to NASA. The celestial events happen annually or at other intervals, NASA says.
What new comet shines in the night sky?
Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) is a newly discovered comet that takes more than 22,000 years to orbit the sun, according to EarthSky. Viewing may not be ideal from Michigan as its position in the west after sunset makes evening views in the northern hemisphere difficult in autumn, according to EarthSky. Best views are in the southern hemisphere.
Where can you watch the meteor showers in Michigan?
As meteors streak overhead across the state, look for a clear, open area to best view the meteor showers in Michigan’s skies. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
Meteor, meteorites, meteoroids — which is it?
Those are words that sound similar, but there are important differences.
When will the next meteor shower be?
The Leonids will be active from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2, peaking Nov. 16-17.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: October is the month for meteor showers. These 4 light the sky this month
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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