October is one of the best months for meteor watching. Up to eight meteor showers reach their peak activity this month, with two major displays leading the way.

The Draconids peak on October 8 and 9. This shower is best seen in the evening, right after dark, which is unusual. Most showers are better after midnight. Viewers under dark skies may see around 10 meteors per hour. This year’s nearly moonless sky makes the Draconids especially inviting. Its meteors come from dust left by comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. The shower is sometimes unpredictable and can produce sudden outbursts.

The Orionids peak on October 21 and 22. These meteors are debris from Halley’s Comet. They are best seen in the hours before sunrise, when about 20 meteors per hour are possible. A bright waxing gibbous moon may hide some fainter meteors this year.

Several minor showers add to the show. These include the October Camelopardalids on October 6, the Delta Aurigids on October 11, and the Epsilon Geminids on October 18. The new moon on October 10 will give skywatchers a dark window for the Draconids.