Get ready for the Orionid meteor shower

One of nature's biggest firework displays - the Orionid meteor shower - is nearly here.

The event takes place in the night skies every year, and is particularly known for the brightness and speed of its meteors.

This year, the shower will be active from 2 October until 7 November and is due to peak for around a week in late October.

Here's everything you need to know about the Orionids and how best to see it.

Let us know in the comments below if you're planning on watching the meteor shower.

Nasa describes the Orionids as "one of the most beautiful meteor showers of the year".

The meteors seem to originate from a point in the constellation of Orion, which is where the name comes from.

The visible trails are clumps of debris left behind by the famous Halley's Comet as it follows its orbit around the Sun.

The debris enters our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of around 41 miles per second.

It vaporises, which means something turns from a solid or liquid into a gas, from friction with the air causing the streaks of light.

These can last in the sky from several seconds to minutes.

Halley's Comet is only seen from Earth about once every 75 years - the next time is thought to be around the year 2061, so don't worry, you haven't missed it recently,

The Orionids is one of two meteor showers created by debris from Halley's Comet.

The other is the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which appears earlier on in the year, around May.

According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, this year's Orionid meteor shower will take place between 2 October and 7 November.

It is due to peak on the night of 21 October between midnight and dawn.

You can expect to see around 15 meteors an hour, which are known for their speed and fine trains.

Once you know when a meteor shower is happening, you don't need a lot of fancy equipment like a telescope.

You just need a clear night with no clouds, warm clothes and some patience.

It's important to wrap up warm, as you might be sitting still for a long time - don't get cold.

Get in a comfy position, perhaps lying back on a chair, so you don't strain your neck, turn off any lights you can and go to the darkest part of the garden.

Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness, then sit back, keep watching and enjoy.

Happy meteor hunting.