Skywatchers should be prepping for the Draconids upcoming in October.
This meteor shower is different as the meteors tend to peak after sunset, not after midnight as many meteor showers tend to do.
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| Draconids |
The best night to watch is Tuesday, October 8. However there should be good opportunities a couple of days before and after.
The peak should have around 60 per hour, but the comet that produces the meteor shower, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, made it's closest approach to the Sun last year. While there is not an outburst predicted with this shower, they can surprise stargazers with unexpected bursts of meteors and the recent pass by the comet may do just that.
Some meteors may be washed out, however, as the moon is waxing gibbous and will be over 50% full during the peak.
Still, I plan to watch. Weather permitting, of course...
