The meteor rain from Draconids culminates this evening, announcing a spectacular natural light show while a burst of meteors crosses the October sky lit by the moon.
Draconid meteors can be seen every year as Earth barrels through the trail of debris left by comet 21p/Giacobini-Zinner. The shower is active during a relatively brief window from October 6 to 10 and reaches its peak when our planet crosses the densest section of the trail of debris at 3 p.m. HAE (7 p.m. GMT) on October 8.
At that time, until 10 shooting stars could be visible in ideal circumstances every hour, while old fragments of the comet 21p/Giacobini-Zinner collide with The earth’s atmosphereBurning in a fiery spectacle that we assimilate to “shooting stars”. However, the light of a decreasing gibbous moon lit 93 % two days after its full moon This phase will saturate the sky of reflected solar light, which will make the vision of the lowest limbs in the annual shower more difficult.
Camera choice: Nikon Z8
If you are looking for an excellent camera to photograph meteors, we recommend the Sony A7R IV, which we have named best camera without mirror in our guide of the best cameras for astrophotography.
The Draconid meteors seem to move away from an original point – or radiant – located near the head of the great dragon represented by the Draco constellation, which can be found sparkling above the sky. Dwarf Asterism in the northwest sky after sunset in mid-October.
The best time to hunt draconoids is at sunset on October 8, when the radiation of the shower is at its maximum in the night sky. You can maximize your chances of catching meteor With the longest tails looking at part of the sky about 40 degrees above the radiant. Do not forget: the width of your closed fist represents about 10 degrees in the sky when held at arm’s length!
Hope you take a photo of a draconide moving quickly? So don’t forget to read our guide detailing the camera settings and good practices to help you. photograph the shooting stars.
Publisher’s note: If you capture an image of a meteor or a fire ball and want to share it with Space.com readers, please send your photo (s), comments, as well as your name and location at spacephotos@space.com.