The Orionids meteor shower 2025 : A celestial spectacle of cosmic convergence
Despite a cloudy sky over Dhaka, many people, including curious children, gathered at Kalabagan Krira Chakra on the night of 21 October to witness the Orionids meteor shower. Organised by the Bangladesh Astronomical Association, the public observation camp turned into a night of shared wonder and learning
By 10 pm, the Kalabagan Krira Chakra playground was already buzzing with anticipation. Telescopes stood like metallic sentinels in the open field, children eagerly waiting, and volunteers of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association (BAA) moved about, aligning lenses and adjusting tripods.
Many gathered on the night of 21 October 2025 to experience the peak of the Orionids meteor shower, one of the most awaited celestial events of the year. Organised by the Bangladesh Astronomical Association in collaboration with Kalabagan Krira Chakra, the observation camp was open to everyone, free of cost and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Though the sky over Dhaka remained largely cloudy, the crowd's excitement did not fade. They came to witness the streaks of light left behind by Comet 1P/Halley. The Earth passes through the ancient dust and debris trail left by Comet 1P/Halley every October.
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Traces of a comet
Back in 1986, Halley's Comet last graced Earth's skies, leaving behind a dusty trail that continues to shape meteor showers decades later. The Orionids are one of those, with an average Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) of 20 meteors per hour. This year promised an especially good show, as the Moon's phase was only 0.1%, ensuring minimal light interference.
But to understand what the spectators had come for, one must first understand what a comet truly is: a frozen traveller of space, made of dust, ice, and gas. When such a comet nears the Sun, its heat releases gaseous jets that push out dust and rocky particles along its orbit.
As Earth moves through this debris trail, these fragments burn upon contact with our atmosphere, creating what we romantically call shooting stars. In Dhaka that night, though few meteors pierced the cloudy sky, imagination did the rest.
Moshurl Amin, Founder and Chairman of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association said, "We observe the sky regularly from different parts of Dhaka and Bangladesh."
He was smiling as a group of children clustered around a telescope. "Although tonight's event has received more publicity, meteor showers actually occur every month. We make it a point to observe the sky throughout the year. Right now, for instance, Saturn and Jupiter are visible," he added.
He pointed towards the telescopes set up for public viewing. "Earlier, there were two comets, but since they could not be seen clearly from Kalabagan, we did not organise a viewing there. The reason we hold these events here is that it ensures convenience and safety for everyone."
"In October, there are the Orionids, followed by the Leonids in November and the Geminids in December. Our main goal is to inspire people, especially children, to take an interest in these celestial events. When they come to these open spaces to observe the sky, it encourages them to become interested in science and astronomy, and that is exactly what we are working towards," he explained.
Night of cosmic convergence
This October has been particularly special for sky watchers. The Orionids coincided with not one but two comets: Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN R2) and Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemon), both expected to come closest to the Earth on the same night, 21 October.
Although the cloudy sky denied Dhaka its view of these cosmic visitors, the anticipation remained. "Comets are unpredictable," Moshurl said. "Sometimes they break apart when they get too close to the Sun, and at other times they may not become bright enough to be seen easily. But that is part of the beauty of astronomy, it teaches patience."
The Bangladesh Astronomical Association, now in its 38th year, runs on passion rather than profit. "We are all amateurs," said Director Masudul Hasan Zaidi about the observation camp.
"Our association has been active for 38 years, promoting astronomy, which, unfortunately, is still not a common subject in our country. It is not part of our national curriculum. We only read a little about the solar system in our early school days, but there is not much academic scope for it afterwards," he added.
"We mainly focus on children, to spark their curiosity about the subject from a young age. At today's camp, we will be showing Saturn and Jupiter through telescopes. You can even see Jupiter's four moons — it is a rare experience for both children and adults, but the kids are always the most excited," he explained.
Despite their limited resources, their commitment remains unwavering. "Our club is entirely non-profit; we do not have any commercial motive. Everything is done voluntarily, out of pure passion for astronomy."
In October, there are the Orionids, followed by the Leonids in November and the Geminids in December. Our main goal is to inspire people, especially children, to take an interest in these celestial events. When they come to these open spaces to observe the sky, it encourages them to become interested in science and astronomy, and that is exactly what we are working towards.
Joy of seeing Saturn
As the night deepened, telescopes turned towards the ringed planet that hung faintly above the horizon. The meteor shower might have been hidden, but Saturn's glow offered a different kind of wonder.
"I saw Saturn today through the telescope," said Rahman Ariff, a cheerful student of Class 2. "It was very interesting! I also saw the moons of Saturn and Jupiter."
Beside him, Azmir Sristha, a student of Grade 11, was equally amazed. "We came today to watch the meteor shower. I have never attended an event like this before. This was my first time seeing Saturn, and I am really excited! I will definitely come again if there are more events like this in the future."
Their excitement mirrored what Director Shahpar Alam of the Bangladesh Astro-Olympiad National Committee described as the heart of these events.
"These gatherings create a sense of community," Shahpar said. "They allow people to witness astronomical events firsthand. In Bangladesh, we do not really have a system for that. Apart from the Novotheatre; there is very little access to practical astronomical observation."
The camp was wrapped up around 5am, when Moshurl and his team began packing up. He looked tired but satisfied. "Though the clouds did not cooperate, we have achieved what we came for — we made people look up," he concluded.
