Stargazers get ready for another meteor shower is gracing the night sky this week!
Experts estimate that the Draconid meteor shower will be visible on the evening of Wednesday, October 7. This yearly spectacular meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through cosmic debris. According to EarthSky, stargazers are also advised to look up the sky on the evening of October 6 and 8.
Draconid meteor shower happens early in the evening or nightfall, so there is no need to stay up late at night to see its beauty. Draconid meteor shower is expected to show as many as five shooting stars every hour.
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Debris from Comet Giacobini-Zinner
The debris from the comet Glacobini-Zinner creates the Draconid meteor, which appears to come from the direction of the constellation Draco the Dragon, hence the name. The comet supplies its debris every six and a half years as it passes on its orbit.
Every October 8, Earth passes close to this comet's orbit, although the American Meteor Society said that it might be more active this year. Jérémie Vaubaillon, an astronomer, estimated that the Earth would pass close to two of the trails produced by this comet.
Additionally, his colleague Peter Jenniskens has predicted that the planet will pass these trails at 9:25 p.m. and 9:57 p.m. ET on October 7. This gives those living in the East Coast of North America the best view while those in the Southern Hemisphere will also see the Draconid meteor shower, the American Meteor Society said.
Draconid meteors are slower, which could last one to two seconds compared to other meteor showers. Plus, the waning gibbous moon will allow better visibility for the faint meteors in the nightfall. In 1933, stargazers witnessed thousands of meteors in the Draconid meteor shower and hundreds in 2011.
Reclining in a lawn chair or lying and looking up the sky is the best way to enjoy this spectacular cosmic event with a wide view. There is no need to use any special equipment to see the Draconid meteor shower, but it helps to be watching it in an area without any artificial light.
Also, grab a camera to document the meteor shower. It would be great to create a time-lapse video and long-exposure photography of the meteor shower.
Meteor Showers This Last Quarter
IF viewing the Draconid meteor shower is impossible, do not worry because more meteor showers are coming these last three months of 2020.
First on the list is the Orionids meteor shower that is set to happen on the nights of October 20 and 21. The Southern Taurids will follow the Orionids phenomenon on October 29 and 30. However, Southern Taurids may not appear as visible because the moon will be at 98% at that time.
In November, the Northern Taurids and Leonids will be visible, which will be on the nights of November 11 to 12 and November 16 to 17, respectively.
Lastly, in December, Geminids willpeak on the evenings of December 13 to 14 and Ursids on the nights of December 21 to 22. A peak on the cosmic event in 2021, January will have the Quadrantids, meteor shower, which will peak on January 2 and 3.
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Check out more news and information on Meteors in Science Times.
