As Diwali-the festival of light Coming near, the night sky tends
to add its own heavenly spectacle: meteor showers. Also called by many people
as "shooting stars," they are caused when Earth's atmosphere
encounters streams of cosmic debris, producing brilliant trails of light. Of
the year's most spectacular meteor showers occur by Diwali's time in late
October or early November.
In this
article, let's see the meteor showers visible during Diwali, how and when to
observe them, and their interesting connection to the festival's celebration of
light.
What
are Meteor Showers?
Meteor
showers occur when Earth passes through streams of debris left behind by comets
or asteroids. At high speeds, these particles plow into the atmosphere and,
because of friction, burn up as they cross the sky, making bright streaks of
light; meteors are simply the luminous trails that these produce, and meteor
showers occur when those events happen in great number.
Meteor
showers are identified for the constellation that they are coming from, or
rather seem to originate from. The Orionids meteor seems to originate from the
Orion constellation, although meteors themselves would be because of debris
from Halley's Comet. Most meteor showers recur year after year as Earth orbits
the Sun, moving through the same orbital position annually, thus the same
streams of debris.
Diwali
Season Meteor Showers
Several
major meteor showers coincide with the Diwali season, providing the celebration
with an accompanying heavenly show. Two of the most significant observable
meteor showers within the time range of late October and early November are
the Orionids and the Taurids. These meteor
showers offer great observation chances and further connect the festival of
lights to the celestial light show taking place above.
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Orionids Meteor Shower
Parent
Body: Debris from Halley's Comet.
Frequency:
No typically 10–20 meteors per hour.
Only
occasionally about 30 meteors per hour.
•Peak:
October 20-22
•Visibility:
October 16-30
•Radiant
Point: Apparently coming from the Orion constellation, near Orion's Belt
•Meteor
Speed: Fast-moving meteors often with long-duration trails.
2. Taurids Meteor Shower
•Parent
Body: Associated with comet Encke and an asteroid
•Frequency:
5-10 meteors hourly
Producing
slow-moving bright fireballs
•Maximum
activity: Early November
•Radiant
Point: Apparently coming from the Taurus constellation.
•
Meteor Speed: Slow-moving meteors, often bright and dramatic
How
to Observe Meteor Showers on Diwali
One of
the most accessible and rewarding astronomical events to observe is meteor
showers. They do not require special equipment; just a clear, dark sky and some
patience is all it takes. Here are some tips for making the most out of your
meteor-watching experience during Diwali
1.
Find a Dark Spot: In
actual fact, light pollution can cause big disturbance while viewing meteors.
Find out a location that is distant from city lights for better time. If you
are in a city, rooftop or elevated places will minimize the effect of light
pollution.
2.
Time It Well: Meteor
showers are usually at their peak in the pre-midnight hours as Earth turns into
the debris stream. For both Orionids and Taurids, pre-dawn hours are again the
best for observing the sky. The new moon around Diwali ensures it would be
darker, making it easier to spot meteors.
3.
Be Patient: Meteor
watching requires patience. Bring along a comfortable chair or blanket, lie
down, and let your eyes get accustomed to the darkness. Limit exposure to your
phone or any other source of light in order not to lose your nighttime
vision.
4.
Wide-Field View: A
meteor can streak across any part of the sky so be viewing a wide section of
the sky rather than concentrating on one point alone. Lie back and enjoy the
view.
Cosmic
Symbolism: Diwali and Meteor Showers
The
festival of Diwali celebrates victory over darkness both metaphorically as well
as literally by using the lighting of diyas (lamps). Meteor showers, full of
sudden lightning in the dark night sky, present a natural parallel to this
theme. Much as the diyas dispel darkness on earth, meteors brighten up the sky
and represent hope and renewal in the cosmos.
Cosmic Beauty of Diwali
Night
also brings an unending display of light in the sky, as the festival lights of
diyas, sounding of crackers, and celebration of Diwali by families coming
together for each other. This season of meteor showers takes it as the perfect
chance to think about the broader themes of light, darkness, and rebirth.
These
showers remind one that with each passing moment lies a new path against the
gigantic flux of creation and destruction in the cosmos. As you mark this
Diwali, glance out of your window at the sky. You might catch a meteor from the
Orionids or a fireball from the Taurids - cosmic fireworks over and above the
celebration of light and joy of the festival.
Through
this view, the sky is part of Diwali's message of hope and light about that
eternal struggle between illumination and darkness. That is to say, the meteor
showers during the season of Diwali remind the cosmos that in both human and
cosmic terms, light will always have a way to shine forth from darkness.