How to watch Draconid Meteor Shower this weekend


The Draconid meteor shower may not be the most reliable – it is supposed to be a little unpredictable in terms of how many shooting stars it will produce – but if there is a chance to see a meteorite, we are more than happy to take it. In addition to being a little mysterious, Draconids have another claim to fame: while most meteors are best seen between rain, midnight and dawn, while Draconids can be seen from early evening until midnight. It is an ideal opportunity for those of us who are not night owls.



A sunset over a body of water: A meteorite rushes into the night sky on Rushki Island during a Draconid meteor shower in October 2018.


Uri Yuri Smithuk / Getty
During a Draconid Meteor Shower in October-October 2018, a meteor spreads over the night sky on Rushki Island.

How to watch Draconid Meteor Shower this weekend

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What is a Draconid Meteor Shower?

Named after the constellation Draco Dragon, a point in the sky from which shooting stars originate, the Draconid Meteor Shower is a popular percussion celestial phenomenon. The shooting stars originate from comet 21p / Giacobini-Zinner, which only passes through the shy Earth every seven years. While the fountain is very quiet in some years, with only five to 10 meteors per hour, it is known to produce excitement in others: in 2011, the Stargazers saw about 600 meteors per hour.

Related: The best binoculars for stargazing



A sunset over a body of water: Yuri Smityuk / Getty One of the night sky meteors on Rushki Island during a Draconid meteor shower in October 2018.


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Yuri Smithuk / Getty October In October 2018, during a Draconid meteor shower, meteors are seen in the middle of the night sky on Rushki Island.

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When is the Draconid Meteor Shower?

It’s a pretty short meteor shower. In 2020, Drake on Needs Oct through October. Oct. 10 to Oct. Will happen on the 10th. 7 But don’t worry about being post-peak: On the 7th there was 74 74% illuminated Gibbous Moon, which ‘polluted the sky with light and damaged your chances of seeing shooting stars. The moon has been slowing down since then as it moves towards the last quarter phase (45% illumination), which it will reach on October 10th.

Related: Best places to go on stargazing around the world

How can I see a Draconid meteor shower?

Avoid light pollution as much as possible, keep your eyes in the dark for at least 20 minutes, and look up. While the Draconids constellation originates from the Draco Dragon, it can be seen all over the place, so you don’t have to look for a specific place to catch the shooting star.

Related: U.S. for incredible stargazing. In 10 darker places

When is the next meteor shower?

It’s really happening right now! The Orionid Meteor Shower, one of the best of the year, is currently running, but it won’t pick up until Oct. 21. 21 Here’s how to watch this show.

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