The Orionid meteor shower is one night from its peak, and the dark hours before dawn give you a real chance to catch a quick streak. (Royal Observatory; Orionids guide)

• Evening Moon: After the 6:15 PM sunset, look toward the south. At our mid-Atlantic reference near Allentown, Pennsylvania, the Moon is highest at 8:50 PM Eastern, about three quarters lit and impossible to miss (sunset timetable; Moon timetable).
• Orionids before dawn: The Moon sets at 2:14 AM Eastern on Wednesday, October 21. After that, find a dark spot away from porch lights, let your eyes adjust, and scan broadly overhead rather than only toward Orion. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky (Moon timetable; Orionids guide).

The Royal Observatory lists the Orionid maximum for October 21. Tonight’s late watch lands right on the doorstep of that peak, though moonlight earlier in the night and local weather still shape what you see (Royal Observatory).

Moon note: Waxing gibbous (more than half lit and growing), 72 percent illuminated; moonrise is 3:34 PM Eastern today at our reference location (phase calendar; Moon timetable).

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