The nights are drawing in and summer is definitely, 100 percent over - but why not take the long, dark nights as a perfect opportunity to engage in some stargazing? The peak of the Draconids meteor shower is right around the corner - here’s all you need to know about this annual astronomical phenomenon.
Known unofficially to some as the Giacobinids, the Draconids meteor shower was named after the constellation Draco, and lights up the night skies for just a few days every October. It’s fairly unusual, as far as meteor showers go, as unlike many of the other popular ones your best chance of seeing some meteors is in the evening instead of the very early hours of the morning.
If you want to catch a glimpse of the Draconids this autumn, your best chances will probably be at nightfall and in the early evening on October 8 - although you might see a couple of meteors in the nights leading up to and following the peak. If you’re lucky, you could see up to 15 meteors an hour.
Sadly, one thing all stargazers should note this year is that the full moon on October 9 will significantly hinder your chances of seeing much. The bright moon this weekend will make it tricky to enjoy the meteor shower in all its glory, but if you want to improve your odds then be sure to head out of the city to an area with little to no artificial light - like a national park.
The month may only just have begun, but October 2022 is set to be a big one when it comes to meteor showers. On October 21 you’ll be able to enjoy the peak of the Orionids meteor shower, and, just a few days later, October 25 will treat us all to a Partial Solar Eclipse.