Orionid meteor shower expected to peak Friday morning

Sky gazers could get quite the treat in the early morning hours Friday, when the Orionid meteor shower is expected to peak, sending streaks of light across the dark skies.

The Orionids, considered "one of the most beautiful showers of the year," according to NASA, are active this year from Sept. 26 through Nov. 22. They will be most viewable Friday morning because the moon will be a slim crescent, according to EarthSky.org.  

The Orionids travel at 148,000 mph and, because of their speed, can sometimes become fireballs when they enter Earth's atmosphere, NASA said, telling viewers to "look for prolonged explosions of light." With no moon in the night sky, at the Orionids peak, about 15 meteors per hour can be seen.