Edhat Staff
Stargazers are in for a celestial treat as the Draconid meteor shower is set to grace the skies on Monday evening into early Tuesday. Unlike many meteor showers that require viewers to stay up into the wee hours, the Draconids offer a unique early evening spectacle, making the cosmic event more accessible for enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
As reported by EarthSky, the best time to see the Draconids is right after nightfall. The crescent moon, being only 27% illuminated, is expected to provide optimal dark sky conditions that are perfect for spotting the subtle streaks of the Draconid meteors.
While it’s not the most populous meteor shower, with only about 10 meteors per hour, the peak is anticipated to occur between 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday. Meteor showers such as this one happen when Earth passes through the remnants left behind by comets and asteroids. The Draconids are the result of Earth intersecting the debris trail left by comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner each October.
Named after the constellation Draco the Dragon, from which the meteors appear to originate, the shower is also known as Giacobinids in honor of Michel Giacobini, who first discovered the comet in 1900. The Draconids are particularly slower moving than other meteor showers, which allows them to be visible for longer, extending up to one or two seconds.
Historically, the Draconids have been known to produce meteor storms, as was the case in the years 1933, 1946, and a significant event with over 600 meteors per hour in 2011. These storms occur when Earth encounters a dense region of the comet’s debris. Although the comet completes an orbit around the sun roughly every seven years, with its last close approach in September 2018, stargazers are always hopeful for an unexpected outburst.
Viewers in the Southern Hemisphere may find it challenging to spot the Draconids, as the constellation Draco doesn’t rise high above the horizon. However, optimal viewing conditions can be found by lying back in a reclining chair or on the ground, looking up at the sky without the aid of telescopes or binoculars. To enhance the experience, experts suggest viewing from areas with minimal artificial light.
For urban dwellers, a short drive to more secluded, darker skies can make a significant difference, potentially tripling the number of visible meteors. This phenomenon is an excellent opportunity for photography enthusiasts to capture time-lapse videos or long-exposure shots of the event.
Looking ahead, the fall and winter seasons promise a host of celestial events. October will feature the Orionids on the 20th and 21st, followed by a series of showers including the Southern and Northern Taurids, Leonids, and the much-anticipated Geminids and Ursids in December. Additionally, the closest supermoon of the year, the hunter’s moon, will occur on October 17, followed by the beaver moon and cold moon rounding out the year’s captivating lunar displays.
Sky-gazers can consult the American Meteor Society for peak dates to ensure they don’t miss out on these spectacular cosmic events.
