Orionid Meteor Shower October 2014 Dates Peaking Now: How to See and Watch Meteor Shower Clearly October 21-26, 2014

The Orionis Meteor shower starts Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, 2014.

According to NASA, the phenomenon is caused by the Halley's Comet.

During the beginning of the year to late October, the Earth passes through the dusty debris of the Comet Halley. When this happens, the pre-dawn sky will light up, displaying an array of shooting stars.

"We expect to see about 20 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Tuesday morning, Oct 21st," says Bill Cooke, the head of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. "With no Moon to spoil the show, observing conditions should be ideal."

Because the streak of the shooting stars is aligned to the Orion constellation, this event has been called "Orionids" meteor shower.

"The Orionid meteor shower is not the strongest, but it is one of the most beautiful showers of the year," notes Cooke.

To have a clear vantage point, Cooke advises people to go outside "one to two hours before sunrise when the sky is dark and the constellation Orion Is high overhead."

Lie flat on the ground with a blanket so you can have the broad view of the sky. Even though the Orionids would start emerging from just a small shoulder portion of the Orion, the meteors will still spread across the sky.

"Be prepared for speed," he adds. "Meteoroids from Halley's Comet strike Earth's atmosphere traveling at 148,000 mph. Only the November Leonids are faster."

"It really is a wonderful morning to be awake," says Cooke. "Just don't plan on going anywhere in a hurry."

The shower will begin from 1 or 2 a.m. EST and it will happen until dawn. After the peak streak on Oct. 21, there will be gradual decrease in the shower's activity. It is expected to end on Oct. 26.