Orionid meteor shower visible late Wednesday night in Raleigh despite bright moon

The Orionid meteor shower, known for its bright streaks and occasional fireballs, will be visible in the Raleigh area late Wednesday night, ABC11 WTVD reported. This annual event occurs as Earth passes through debris left by Halley's comet.

The shower is expected to peak at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, meaning the best viewing time locally will be during the overnight hours between Wednesday and Thursday, according to EarthSky. Meteors should be visible after midnight in Raleigh.

A waxing gibbous moon, about 76% illuminated, will be present Wednesday night, which could make spotting meteors more difficult during some parts of the night, the American Meteor Society noted. However, the moon will set a few hours before sunrise, providing a good window for viewing.

Observers in Raleigh may see up to 20 meteors per hour during this optimal window. The meteors travel at 41 miles per second and can leave glowing trails or create bright fireballs as they burn up in the atmosphere, NASA explained.

The meteors appear to come from the Orion constellation but will be visible across the entire night sky. This event offers a chance for local residents to enjoy one of the more brilliant meteor showers of the year despite some moonlight interference.