Stargazer captures stunning photo of debris from famous comet

Karen Schofield, a member of  The Bolton News Camera Club, took the impressive photograph in Affetside on Tuesday, October 22.

Karen also managed to grab a still of Starlink Satellites, operated by Elon Musk’s Space X. 

The Orionid meteor shower is active throughout October but peaked overnight on the day Karen grabbed her snap.

READ MORE: Northern Lights above Bolton captured in stunning photos

Orionid meteor shower to light up night sky

The comet (Image: Karen Schofield) The Orionids are considered by some to be particularly special as they are actually pieces of Comet 1P/Halley, better known as Halley’s Comet.

The Starlink satellites (Image: Karen Schofield) Although the comet swings by Earth only once every 75 to 76 years, this annual shower is some compensation for those who may miss that once-in-a-lifetime event.

As the comet follows its path around the sun, it leaves a path of tiny debris which enters Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of around 41 miles per second.

Chances of seeing the shooting stars were limited due to the moon being waning gibbous, but some got lucky.

The shower will last until the first week of November so keen stargazers may be able to see some meteors from the display – which originates from the Orion constellation – at a later date.