October’s Draconid meteor shower – sometimes called the Giacobinids –
radiates from the fiery mouth of the northern constellation Draco the
Dragon. Because the radiant is located so far north on the sky’s dome,
this shower favors temperate and far-northern latitudes, such as the
U.S., Canada, Europe and northern Asia. In 2013, you’ll want to watch
for these meteors on the evenings of October 7 and 8, starting at
nightfall. This shower had an unusually rich peak in 2011, but meteor
rates this year are expected to be back to normal, meaning only a
handful of meteors each hour. The Draconid meteor shower has a rich
history, which we talk about below. Follow the links below to learn
more about the Draconid meteor shower.
Where is the radiant point of the shower, and when should I watch?
How many Draconid meteors will I see?
Can I see the Draconids from the Southern Hemisphere?
What else should I watch for, on the night of the Draconid shower?
What is the origin and history of the Draconid meteors?
- Earthsky
