The annual Draconic meteor shower has arrived but the short-lived spectacle is only here until the end of the week. Draconids are active each year around the first week of October, producing meteors for about four days. The meteor shower precedes the arrival of the bigger Orionid shower later this month.
What is the Draconid meteor shower?
The Draconid meteor shower arrives each year in October when Earth passes through the tail of comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
As the icy comet zips around the Sun, bits and pieces of its outer layers break off.
Earth then slams into the debris-littered orbit at high speeds, creating bright streaks of light in the atmosphere.
According to US space agency NASA, the shower produces between 10 and 20 shooting stars an hour.
On rare occasions, Draconids can produce a meteor storm with hundreds of meteors every hour.
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Astronomer Deborah Byrd of EarthSky.org said: “The best evening to watch is likely October 8; try the evenings of October 7 and 9 also.
Astronomers typically advise finding a wide-open field with an unobstructed view of the horizon.
But keep in mind the chilly autumn weather and dress appropriately for your local forecast.
The Draconids will appear to break out into the night sky from the constellation Draco the Dragon – their namesake.
However, there is no need to locate Draco because the meteors will scatter in all directions at quick speeds.
Instead, try to spot a shooting star first and then trace its path back to the constellation.
