Experts state that spectators will be able to see between
10 to 20 shooting stars per hour when Draconid reaches its beak on October 7
and 9, providing it is a relatively clear night and you are away from major
sources of light pollution.
Saturday, October 7, is set to be cloudy, but the skies
will be cleared on the Sunday evening.
The best place to see the meteor shower in the UK will be
from Scotland, while Canada and northern Russia will also provide great
viewing.
No equipment will be needed to see the shooting stars as,
if it is clear, it can be seen with the naked eye.
Space weather site earthsky.org said: “Unlike most meteor
showers, the Draconids are best seen in the evening, instead of before dawn.
"That’s because the winged Dragon, the shower’s
radiant point, flies highest in the sky at nightfall."
Shooting stars in the Draconid Meteor shower are caused
when the Earth travels through the trail of debris left by Comet 21/P
Giacobini-Zinner which has an orbital period around the sun of 6.6 years.
Small parts that have chipped away from the space rock
fall towards Earth as it travels through the cloud left by the comet.
As the tiny fragments of rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere
they burn up which is what gives the illusion of shooting stars.
Earthsky.org says that there could be even more shooting
stars than usual.
It said: "This shower has been known to rain down
hundreds or even thousands of meteors in an hour.
"No outburst is predicted for this year, but then,
you never know for sure. Remember – no matter where you are on Earth – the
radiant for this meteor shower is highest up in the evening.
“Watch for the Draconids, starting at nightfall on
October 7 and 8.”
Simply find a dark, open sky away from artificial lights. Plan to spend a few hours lounging comfortably under the stars. Bring along a reclining lawn chair, have your feet point in a general north or northwest direction and look upward.
Simply find a dark, open sky away from artificial lights. Plan to spend a few hours lounging comfortably under the stars. Bring along a reclining lawn chair, have your feet point in a general north or northwest direction and look upward.