How To See 2023’s Draconid Meteor Shower (Oct 6-9th)

• Thomas Nelson
• October 6, 2023
• News
• 0 Comments

I love a good meteor shower. Some of my fondest memories as a kid are going out in the middle of the night to catch a meteor shower at its peak. Every year in October, we’re graced with the Draconid meteor shower. It’s not the most dazzling, but if you love watching shooting stars and can’t stand to wait until next year’s Perseids, the Draconids will tide you over. In this article, we’ll go over what the Draconids are and when & how to see them.

What are the Draconids?

The Draconid meteor shower, also known as the Giacobinids, is an annual meteor shower that occurs in early October. It is associated with the periodic comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, which was discovered by French astronomer Michel Giacobini in 1900.

When the Earth’s orbit intersects with the orbit of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, we pass through the debris field left behind by the comet. This occurs every October, resulting in meteor showers associated with that particular comet!

Comets like 21P/Giacobini-Zinner are usually visible from Earth for a limited period when they approach the Sun and develop a visible coma (a cloud of gas and dust) and sometimes a tail. These comas and tails can make the comet visible from Earth using telescopes or binoculars. Unfortunately, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is faint and difficult to see with the naked eye. Fortunately, it leaves behind a trail that creates the Draconid meteor shower!

When does the Draconid meteor shower peak?

In 2023, stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts are in for a celestial treat as the Draconid meteor shower is set to grace the night skies. This meteor shower will reach its peak on October 8th. The Draconid meteor shower will be visible from the 6th through the 9th of October. So, mark your calendars and prepare to be awe-inspired by nature’s own fireworks show as the Draconid meteors streak across the heavens during these enchanting evenings.

How to see the Draconid meteor shower

To view the annual Draconid meteor shower, you should generally look to the north or northwest direction in the night sky. The Draconid meteor shower gets its name because the meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Draco, which is located in the northern part of the sky.

Here are some tips for observing the Draconid meteor shower:

1. Find a Dark Location: To get the best view of the meteor shower, try to escape light pollution by going to a dark location away from city lights. This will allow you to see more meteors and enjoy the celestial display to the fullest.
2. Let Your Eyes Adjust: It can take up to 20-30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness. After about a half hour, all you’ll need to do is look at the night sky!
3. Check the Date: The Draconid meteor shower typically occurs in early October, around the 7th or 8th of the month. However, meteor showers can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to check the specific dates and times for the current year to plan your observation.
4. Be Patient: Meteor showers can be a bit unpredictable in terms of intensity. Some years, the Draconids produce more meteors than others. Be patient and give your eyes some time to adjust to the darkness. It can take 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adapt fully.
5. Use a Meteor Shower App: Consider using a smartphone app or a stargazing app that can help you locate the constellation Draco and other celestial objects in the night sky. These apps can be a handy tool for identifying the radiant point and tracking meteor activity.
6. Bring Warm Clothing and Comfortable Seating: Meteor showers can be chilly affairs, so dress warmly, and bring a comfortable chair or blanket to sit or lie on while you watch. This will help you stay comfortable during your stargazing session.
7. Avoid Moonlight: The brightness of the moon can significantly impact your ability to see meteors. If possible, choose a night with little to no moonlight to maximize your meteor viewing experience.

Remember that meteor showers can vary from year to year, and the Draconid meteor shower is not as consistently prolific as some other meteor showers like the Perseids or Geminids. Nonetheless, when conditions are right, the Draconids can put on a beautiful display of shooting stars radiating from the constellation Draco in the northern sky, making it a worthwhile event for stargazers to observe.

Who can’t see the Draconids?

The Draconid meteor shower can be seen from many parts of the world, but there are certain factors that might make it challenging or impossible for some individuals to observe this meteor shower.

The Draconid meteor shower is more favorable for viewers in the northern hemisphere, particularly those at higher latitudes. People located in the southern hemisphere closer to the equator, or at extreme southern latitudes may have limited or no visibility of this meteor shower.

The timing of the meteor shower and the presence of a bright moon can affect visibility. Unfortunately, the moon phase for October 8th, 2022 is the Waxing Gibbous phase. It will be at about 95% full brightness. When the Draconids occur when the moon is full or near full, its brightness can drown out fainter meteors, reducing the number visible to viewers.