Orionid meteor shower from Halley's comet will peak over UK skies this week, but the weather may spoil it

Skywatchers could spot 10 to 20 meteors an hour in the early hours of Thursday 22 October, if the clouds clear. A bright waxing gibbous moon will wash out the display until it sets around 3am BST. The debris hits the atmosphere at around 41 miles per second, often leaving long glowing trails and fireballs. This week is shaping up as the wettest and windiest of the autumn so far.

No telescope is needed, and the meteors can be seen with the naked eye.

The shower's radiant point lies in Orion, close to Betelgeuse, the red supergiant star.

Miss the peak and there are still chances to see meteors until 7 November.