Orionids Meteor Shower 2012 Peak: Where to Watch and Weather Forecast

Weather conditions should be ideal for watching one cool meteor shower in the skies over Marion.

The Orionids meteor shower began Monday and peaks overnight Saturday into Sunday mornings.

The weather forecast calls for Marion calls for clear skies all night and temps in the 40s.

The show is put on compliments of Halley’s comet: As Earth passes through it’s debris, a show of shooting stars is visible, provided the weather cooperates.

The moon is doing its part this year, setting at about midnight, which will keep the sky darkened enough that -- barring cloud cover --  up to 15 meteors will streak across the sky per hour.

Meteor showers get their names from the constellations in the sky where they can be spotted. And what's easier to spot than Orion the Hunter?

The stars tend to shoot from Orion's club, pierce Tauraus the Bull, the Gemini twins, Leo the Lion and then, Canis Major, home of Sirious, the brightest star seen on earth -- well, aside from the sun.

If you want to take your chances, park yourself at a good viewing spot, like Thomas Park, and enjoy the show.