On Saturday, October 8, the annual Draconid meteor shower, also sometimes called the Giacobinids, will reach its traditional peak. Usually a moderate meteor shower originating near the constellation Draco, the Draconids have, on occasion, put on a spectacular show, notably in 1933 and 1946, when thousands of meteors per hour could be seen.
The Draconid meteors are created by dust left behind by the periodic comet Giacobini–Zinner. During years of increased activity, the Earth passes through a denser stream of debris than usual.
Astronomers believe 2011 is poised to be one such year. Unfortunately, the peak hours for the shower take place during daylight hours for the Western Hemisphere. In addition, the light of the full Moon, which coincides with the shower this year, will impair visibility.
Despite these setbacks, and the fact that the Draconids aren’t typically as breathtaking to watch as larger showers like the Perseids, a determined skywatcher should still see some action during the night of the 8th, or even for a few days before and after.
Jaime McLeod is the Web Content Editor for the Farmers' Almanac. She is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, loves eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.
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3 comments
I saw one last night ! In Georgia it was really neat I hope I get to see more thanks for sharing
Hi Kyrie,
As the story mentions, the meteors will appear to come from the constellation Draco, which sits very high in the sky, just west of Polaris. As also stated above, the U.S. is not poised to see this shower at its peak, because peak will occur during daylight hours. However, you should be able to see some meteors at any time of the night on or around the 8th.
What part of the sky is Draconids? What time of night might be best for viewing?
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