Northeast offers peak viewing of the Draconids meteor shower
The Draconids meteor shower is expected to reach it’s peak late tonight and into tomorrow morning. Stargazers in the Northeast are in luck; National Geographic predicts that the most activity will occur around 1:40 a.m. Friday, which is one of the darkest times of night.
The Draconids meteors come from the 21P/Giacobini-Zinner comet that returns each year. The lights that streak across the sky are actually produced by small particles — frequently as small as a piece of sand — that have come off of a parent comet and then burn up in our atmosphere according to National Geographic.
Most years it comes around it only produces around 20 meteors an hour, but some years have seen numbers in the hundreds. This year the moon is well positioned, and will provide little of the glare that typically obstructs viewing.
Light pollution in Boston may hinder visibility. For best viewing, head to an open field or space with an expansive view of the sky away from light pollution. Looking northwest may increase your chances of spotting a meteor, but you can’t go wrong with laying on your back and staring straight up.
Read more at National Geographic.
Photos of the Perseid meteor shower:
[bdc-gallery id=”110760″]
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com