How to See the Draconian Meteor Showers Tonight
The best time to observe the annual Draconid meteor shower is Monday, October 8th, which is tonight when visibility is best in the early evening. Welcome Autumn Rain.
According to Space.com, Draconids are formed as the Earth passes through a stream of dust attached to the periodic comet 21P / Giacobini-Zinner, also known as Comet GZ. Meteors have long inspired flights of fantasy as they seem to come from Draco, the constellation named after the dragon, not your favorite Harry Potter villain. British meteor astronomer Alastair Macbeath said of the event:
“The poets among us may think of it as ‘the tears of the dragon’ or as its fiery breath.”
You are more likely to see this fantastic sight if you are in the Mid Atlantic, the northeastern United States, or the coastal provinces of eastern Canada. Unfortunately, the peak of rainfall everywhere occurs at noon. As night falls, you can see the end of the show. On the other hand, this is not a shower for which you need to sleep until two in the morning.
You don’t need any special equipment, so if you are in a good location on a clear night, just go outside when it gets dark. Meteors can appear anywhere, but it helps to find Draco; It is usually in the northwestern sky, dropping towards the horizon as dawn approaches. Sit back and see if the dragons cry.