The Draconids meteor shower is flying over Boston - and you don’t have to be a night owl or early bird to watch it. There’s a meteor shower this weekend. And, for once, to catch a glimpse you don’t need to sacrifice any sleep.
What makes the Draconids different from other meteor showers?
While most meteor showers have you staying up until the wee hours to watch their splendor, you won’t have to lose any shut eye. The Draconids are best viewed in the early evening hours just before dark.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors (or space rocks and streams of cosmic debris) are seen originating from one point in the night sky as they enter the Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds. The meteors are fast-moving and occasionally produce bright fireballs and leave persistent trains.
When can I see the Draconids in the Boston area?
They can be seen Thursday, October 5, through Monday, October 9, peaking Saturday and Sunday.
Will the weather cooperate this weekend?
The forecast for the Boston area calls for partly to mostly cloudy skies for the duration of the meteor shower.
How long do the Draconids last?
Known as a very short and unpredictable meteor shower, the show won’t last for long. As a “minor show,” there will be only about 10 shooting stars an hour.
Where did the Draconids get its name?
As the Earth's perspective of the meteor shower originates from the direction of the constellation Draco, the dragon, the name originated from astrologer tales of Draco breathing fire. Because it’s created by the debris stream left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, it’s also referred to as the Giacobinids.
What are other meteor showers coming this fall?
There are plenty of fall meteor showers already underway, including the Orionids and long-running Taurids.
Known as a “major shower” and named because meteors radiate from the same location in the sky as the Orion constellation, the Orionid meteor shower started Sunday and continues through November 7, peaking during mid-October each year. Considered to be one of the most beautiful showers of the year, at its peak time (this year it’s around October 21 and 22), the scheduled crescent moon translates to a mostly dark sky for about 20 shooting stars per hour. The hours between midnight and dawn are the best time to see the Orionids.
You also might be able to catch the Taurid meteor showers - two separate streams of meteors that fly through the sky during late summer and most of the fall. The best times to see Taurids are later this fall, when the two streams overlap. The South Taurids peak around November 5; the North Taurids peak around November 12. They are best viewed after midnight, and, in normal years, can produce about five or 10 shooting stars an hour, but occasionally you’ll enjoy a “swarm” of numerous bright fireballs.
Where should I grab dinner before or after the shower?
Depending on when you want to fuel up for your heavenly fascination, try these best late night eats in Boston or an early dinner under the stars with the best outdoor dining in the city.