Often, catching sight of meteor shower, the northern lights or any other celestial event takes commitment and a willingness to stay awake into the early hours of the morning. But what if we told you that there’s a dazzling display peaking tonight (October 8) that doesn’t require copious amounts of caffeine?
That display is the Draconid meteor shower. The shower is visible from October 6-10, but it’s set to peak on the night of October 8-9.
Keen to catch a shooting star? Here’s everything you need to know if you about the Draconids peak.
What is the Draconid meteor shower?
This meteor shower is made up of debris from comet 21 P/Giacobini-Zinne (catchy name, right?). According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the frequency of meteors changes each year as it depends on which part of the comet’s trail the Earth’s orbit intersects on.
Displays in recent years have been pretty modest, but back in 1933 and 1946 the Draconids gave us two of the most active meteor shower shows of the twentieth century.
Where to watch the spectacle in the UK tonight
As always with meteor showers, you need clear skies and as little light pollution as possible. For the best chance of seeing the spectacle, head away from cities (or at least away from street lights) and for high ground.
Here’s a list of the best places for stargazing in the UK.
When does the Draconids meteor shower peak?
The annual shower will peak, or in other words reach its ‘maximum’, tonight on Tuesday, October 8.
Unlike some other night-sky events, you won’t have to stay up until silly o’clock for this one. So long as the sky is clear and you have minimal light pollution, the best time to see the display will be in the evening, just after nightfall, when the Draco constellation is at its highest point. Tonight that should be at around 7pm to 7.30pm.
What’s its meaning?
Named after the constellation it appears to originate from – Draco, the ‘dragon’ – the Draconids will see meteors (aka shooting stars) appear as bright streaks across our sky.
Stargazing in the UK
Next up will be the Orionids, which is associated with Halley’s Comet. That’ll peak on October 21-22.
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