Draconid Meteor Shower: How to See Shooting Stars This Week

The annual Draconid meteor shower will peak this evening as Earth passes through the tail of a comet.

The celestial spectacle will be visible through Thursday and unlike other showers, sky watchers won’t have to stay up late as it will be best seen in the evening rather than the early morning hours.

Draconid Meteor Shower: Where to Look (Image: PA Wire) The shower gets its name from the constellation Dragon because the meteors appear to come from its direction.

But they are sometimes called Giacobinids, after the French astronomer Michel Giacobini, who discovered them in 1900.

Astronomers predict that under the right conditions, about 10 meteors could be seen per hour, and in some cases even many more.

The best place to watch the shower is an area with low light pollution and a clear horizon.

Dr. Minjae Kim, a research fellow in the physics department at the University of Warwick, said: “Under ideal conditions, observers can see up to 10 meteors per hour.

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“The shower’s radiant point is highest in the evening sky, making it a rare meteor shower that is best viewed after sunset rather than in the early morning hours.”

“The waxing crescent moon to the first quarter phase of the moon will provide relatively dark skies and improve visibility.

“So look for areas with minimal light pollution, such as rural areas or parks away from city lights.

“Give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness to ensure optimal night vision, which is always helpful.

“Remember that when it comes to stargazing, patience is key – get comfortable, relax and let the wonders of the night sky unfold before your eyes.”