The Draconid meteor shower is set to reach its peak on the night of Oct. 7, with up to 10 meteors per hour visible in the Northern Hemisphere. This shower can be best seen after dusk when the constellation Draco is at its highest point in the sky, serving as the radiant point for the meteors. Stargazers in Massachusetts are encouraged to find darker areas with no light pollution to get the best view.
The parent comet of the Draconids, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, was discovered in 1900 and most of the debris can be seen around the comet. Despite the potential for a great show, the moon’s illumination in its First Quarter phase is not expected to impact visibility of the Draconid meteor shower at its peak. While the Draconids do not always produce a spectacular display, outbursts have occurred in the past when Earth passes just inside the comet’s orbit shortly after the comet itself has passed by.
This meteor shower is one of two expected in October, with the Orionid meteor shower already underway and expected to peak on Oct. 20. Stargazers are advised to keep an eye out for more celestial events in the coming weeks, with clear skies forecasted for a great viewing experience of the Draconid meteor shower on the night of Oct. 7.
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