Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Draconids Meteor Shower 2013 
Peak tonight
Every year in early October earth passes through the debris trail left behind by Comet Giacobini-Zinner (a periodic comet in the Solar System). The comet orbits the sun with a period of 6.6 years. During each pass through the inner solar system, it sheds a trail of dust along its path, as earth passes through this debris, and lots of shooting.  For the last few nights, Draco the Dragon constellation has been spitting out shooting stars, also known as meteors. Draconid shower is predicted to produce the greatest number of meteors today at 17:30 UT, which translates to 23:00 IST. It occurs annually thanks to the ribbon of space dust left behind by Giacobini-Zinner, a comet that travels around the sun every 6½ years.

Watch for them first thing at nightfall. Once again, watch at nightfall and early evening because that’s when the radiant point for the Draconid shower is highest in the nighttime sky. Most meteor showers are best after midnight … but not this one.
Fortunately, the thin waxing crescent moon won’t interfere with this year’s Draconid meteor display.So for a full-sky view, lie down under a dark, open sky on a blanket or reclining chair and enjoy the Draconid meteor display.



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