Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Saffron Otter

When the Draconid meteor shower will peak in the UK and what it is

Skygazers may be in for a treat this week as they could catch glimpse of the Draconid meteor shower.

The shower will take place from October 7 to 11, but is expected to peak on the evening of Friday into Saturday.

The annual sighting is named after the constellation of Draco the dragon and the Draconids are one of the two meteor showers to light up the skies in October.

READ MORE:

The shower is caused when Earth travels through a cloud of cometary debris - comet 21 P/ Giacobini-Zinner - and occurs in the Northern Hemisphere.

However, poor weather can threatens people’s chances of seeing the celestial display.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said on Thursday: “Viewing conditions of the meteor shower are not optimal over the UK, but there will be limited opportunities with cloud breaks in central and southern England tonight and perhaps greater chances tomorrow.

Draconid meteor shower (PA Graphics)

“Skywatchers in northern and western parts of the UK will be hampered by cloud and rain.

“Fog may also create local difficulties in other areas.”

If the clouds give way, then the Draconids are best seen in the evening after nightfall.

Your best chance of seeing the display is by finding somewhere with dark skies, away from areas of light pollution or an obstructed horizon.

However skygazers should ensure there are no direct sources of light to their eyes.

There is no advantage to using binoculars or a telescope.

To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.