The annual meteor shower reaches its peak overnight from Wednesday, 21 October, into Thursday, 22 October. In Ibiza, the best opportunity to spot shooting stars is expected during the hours before dawn, after the Moon sets.

Stargazers in Ibiza and Formentera will have an opportunity to watch the Orionid meteor shower reach its annual peak next week, with the strongest activity expected during the night of 21 to 22 October 2026.

The Orionids are one of October’s main astronomical events and are visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the shower can produce around 10 to 20 meteors per hour.

This year, however, a bright waxing gibbous Moon will make some of the fainter shooting stars harder to see. For observers in Ibiza, the most promising window is expected in the second half of the night, after moonset and before dawn, provided the sky is clear.

When Is the Orionid Meteor Shower at Its Peak?

The Orionids are active each year from approximately 2 October to 7 November, but their highest activity is expected around 21 October.

In 2026, the peak falls overnight from Wednesday, 21 October, into Thursday, 22 October. Meteors may also be visible on surrounding nights, so observers do not need to limit their plans to the peak alone.

The predicted rate of around 20 meteors per hour applies to ideal observing conditions. It is not a guarantee that 20 shooting stars will be visible every hour from Ibiza.

The number actually seen will depend on the darkness of the sky, the Moon’s position, cloud cover, light pollution and the observer’s location.

What Time Is Best for Watching from Ibiza?

The best general advice is to observe from around midnight into the early morning, with conditions expected to improve after the Moon sets.

The Spanish National Geographic Institute indicates that the Moon will set at around 03:00 local official time during the relevant period. The later part of the night should therefore offer a darker sky before the first light of dawn.

For the best chance of seeing meteors:

• Choose a dark location away from streetlights, buildings and other sources of artificial light.

• Check the local weather forecast before heading out.

• Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.

• Avoid looking at bright phone screens while observing.

• Look across a broad area of sky rather than focusing on just one point.

No telescope or binoculars are needed. The naked eye is the best way to watch a meteor shower because it allows you to see a wider area of the sky.

Where Should You Look?

The Orionids appear to radiate from the direction of the constellation Orion, which gives the shower its name. Orion begins to become visible in the eastern sky around midnight at these latitudes.

However, the meteors can streak across any part of the sky. Observers do not need to look directly at Orion to see them.

Finding a location with an unobstructed view and as little artificial light as possible is more important than facing a particular direction.

Ibiza and Formentera are well placed geographically to observe the shower, but local conditions will make a significant difference. Rural areas away from the brightest urban and tourist centres may offer darker skies, provided access is safe and weather conditions are suitable.

Why Will the Moon Make Viewing More Difficult?

The main obstacle this year is moonlight. During the peak, the Moon will be in a waxing gibbous phase, meaning a substantial part of its visible surface will be illuminated.

Its brightness will make the faintest meteors harder to distinguish against the sky, even in places with little artificial light.

Waiting until after moonset should improve the contrast between the meteors and the surrounding sky. This is why the hours before dawn are expected to provide the best opportunity during the peak night.

Even then, visibility will depend on cloud cover and local atmospheric conditions.

What Causes the Orionids?

The Orionids are produced by debris left behind by Comet 1P/Halley, one of the best-known comets in the Solar System.

As Earth travels through the stream of particles along the comet’s orbit, tiny fragments enter the atmosphere at high speed. Friction with the air heats the material, producing the bright streaks commonly called shooting stars.

Orionid meteors travel at approximately 66 kilometres per second. Their high speed can make them appear as short, bright flashes across the sky, and some may leave persistent trails.

Despite their name, the meteors are not stars. They are small particles burning up in Earth's atmosphere.

Orionids 2026: Key Details

The Orionids offer a chance to enjoy one of October’s annual astronomical highlights from Ibiza and Formentera. For the best chance of spotting shooting stars, choose a dark location, check the forecast and aim for the hours after moonset before dawn on 22 October.