Orionids Meteor Shower 2012 Peak Over Ames

Weekend skies should be clear for at least a little while providing an opportunity to view the Orionids meteor shower over Ames.

Bill Gallus, a proffesor in Iowa State University's meteorology department, said it looks like Saturday night would be the best time to view meteors in Ames.

“Friday night looks to start very cloudy, and although it may clear up at least some, if it does, it would not happen until probably after 3 a.m.,” Gallus said in an email exchange.

“Saturday night looks generally good. The first part of the night could be quite clear. There may be some patches of clouds as the night goes on,” Gallus said.

Where do you look?

Well, the name of the meteor shower -- Orionids -- should give a hint.

Meteor showers get their names from the constellations in the sky where they can be spotted, in this case, Orion the Hunter.

So, look for his those three stars that make up his belt, then look up to his club. 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 aside from the sun.

Area viewing areas include McFarland Park outside Ames which might have less light pollution than other Ames parks.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Bill Gallus' title.