The Draconid meteor shower is comparatively a short-lived event in the general ranking of meteor showers. The Draconids occur when the orbit of the earth bisects the orbital path of Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
When the dust and icy debris of the comet collide with the upper atmosphere of the earth it burns-up as the Draconid meteor shower.
This comet is named after its discoverer when Michel Giacobini first observed it on December 20, 1900. A subsequent observation by Ernst Zinner in 1913 added him to the name - thusly 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
The good news is that you don’t have to get out of bed before sunrise to observe this meteor shower. The shower peaks on October 8 - yet also has excellent viewing opportunities beginning the evenings of October 6th thru the 10th.
Follow this chart facing north. Locate the Big Dipper low in the northwest. Traced backwards the Draconid meteors radiate from the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon. It is helpful to know that it is very easy to locate Draco - yet be assured that meteors can appear anywhere in the night sky.
Be vigilant and fingers-crossed for clear viewing conditions.
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