(FOX40.COM) -- The Orionid is known as the most beautiful meteor shower of the year and will soon cause dozens of shooting stars to dart across the California night sky as it reaches its peak. • Video Above: People all over California capture images of the northern lights

The Orionids, which peak during mid-October each year, are known for their brightness and speed. During peak times, sky watchers can expect to see nearly 20 fiery shooting stars every hour.

"These meteors are fast," NASA said on its website. "They travel at about 41 miles (66 kilometers) per second into Earth's atmosphere."

Fast meteors can leave glowing "trains" (debris) that follow behind them as they shoot across the sky. It can last from several seconds to minutes. Fast meteors can also sometimes become fireballs.

See Full Page