STARGAZERS could soon be treated to a magnificent apparition of meteors raining down through the skies. But just what is the Draconids Meteor Shower and when will it peak? Here's what you need to know about that Jekyll and Hyde of the night. What is the Draconids Meteor Shower? The phenomenon occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of dust from the periodic Giacobini-Zinner Comet. Its name derives the meteors emanating from the constellation of Draco, resulting in its pet name the "Dragon's Breath". The association with the G-Z Comet means they are also sometimes known as the Giacobinids. The meteors have what Space.com describes as a Jekyll and Hyde personality, since they are sometimes visible, but often not. When can I watch it and when will it peak? The Draconid shower can best be seen during the evening just as night falls on Monday, October 8 and in the morning of Tuesday, October 9. Stargazers across the UK are well-placed to see the shower, along with those in … [Read more...] about Draconids Meteor Shower 2018 – when to watch it and what time it peaks
Meteor shower
Draconids meteor shower 2017 – when can I see it, what time, how and what time does it peak?
AMATEUR astronomers across the country are excitedly anticipating the Draconid Meteor Shower, which is taking place over the weekend. Here’s everything you know about the mesmerising scientific event and the best way to catch it in the UK. What is the Draconid Meteor Shower? The stunning display will see up to 1,000 shooting stars dazzle through the skies this weekend. This scientific phenomenon gets its name from the Draco the Dragon constellation which lies in the far northern part of the sky. The meteors, associated with the Giacobini-Zinner Comet, mean they are sometimes known as the Giacobinids. Every year in October, the Draconid Meteor Shower spawns from the comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, which rounds the sun every 6.6 years. When is the Draconid Meteor Shower taking place? When does it peak? The Draconid shower can best be seen during the evening just as night falls on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. On these days there … [Read more...] about Draconids meteor shower 2017 – when can I see it, what time, how and what time does it peak?
Draconid Meteor Shower 2018 Peaks Monday! Here’s What to Expect.
If you're a meteor shower fan, mark Monday evening (Oct. 8) on your calendar, particularly if you live in the mid-Atlantic or northeast United States, as well as the Maritime provinces of eastern Canada. On that night, the Earth will pass through the irregular and surprised-filled Draconid meteor stream. The annual Draconid meteor shower occurs every year around Oct. 8 when the Earth passes through a stream of dust from the periodic comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, which from here on we’ll refer to as Comet G-Z. so named because the meteors appear to emanate from the constellation of Draco, the Dragon. If you live anywhere else across the rest of North America, the predicted peak of this meteor shower will occur during the afternoon, so by nightfall you’ll be looking for any possible lingering stragglers of the display – if there are any to be seen at all. [Draconid Meteor Shower 2018 Guide: When and How to See It] The best known meteor display in October is … [Read more...] about Draconid Meteor Shower 2018 Peaks Monday! Here’s What to Expect.
Orionid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It
The Orionid meteor shower is set to peak the night of Oct. 21-22, but the moon will lead to subpar views for this night sky display. The meteors that streak across the sky are some of the fastest among meteor showers, because the Earth is hitting a stream of particles almost head on. "The moon is going to mess with you," NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke told Space.com, and 15-20 meteors per hour should be visible. The particles come from Comet 1P/Halley, better known as Halley's Comet. This famous comet swings by Earth every 75 to 76 years, and as the icy comet makes its way around the sun, it leaves behind a trail of comet crumbs. At certain times of the year, Earth's orbit around the sun crosses paths with the debris. "You can see pieces of Halley's Comet during the Eta Aquarids [in May] and the Orionid meteor shower [in October and November]," Cooke told Space.com. Orionid Meteor Shower: Leftovers of Halley's Comet The Orionids are named after the direction from … [Read more...] about Orionid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It
Draconid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where and How to Watch the Unpredictable ‘Shooting Star’ Display
This story was updated on Oct. 5, 2018. The annual Draconid meteor shower peaks in October, but don't get your hopes up for a spectacular sky show. Even at their peak — which, this year, occurs overnight on Monday, Oct. 8, and early morning Tuesday (Oct. 9) — the Draconids are usually modest, generating just a few meteors per hour. Still, it's worth looking up, because the shower occasionally puts on an incredible display. In 1933, for example, skywatchers in Europe saw up to 500 Draconids per minute, according to Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao. And observers throughout the Western United States saw thousands of Draconids per hour at the shower's peak in 1946, he added. [How to See the Best Meteor Showers of 2018] The Draconids occur when Earth plows through the stream of debris shed over the eons by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Dramatic outbursts like those of 1933 and 1946 — and lesser ones in 1926, 1952, 1985, 1998 and 2011 — seem "to … [Read more...] about Draconid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where and How to Watch the Unpredictable ‘Shooting Star’ Display