By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-08 15:10:45 | Updated at 2026-10-08 17:29:08
2 hours ago
Britons are in for a stunning night of stargazing tomorrow evening as the Draconid meteor shower peaks.
As many as 10 shooting stars per hour are expected after nightfall during the incredible cosmic event.
The annual display, active since October 7, will peak on October 9.
As a special treat for skywatchers, the phenomenon will be best seen in the early evening rather than in the small hours of the morning.
The Draconids' radiant lies in the constellation Draco, which sits highest in the sky at dusk, making the post-sunset window the best time to spot the celestial spectacle.
Nasa characterises the shower as “occasional” because of its unpredictable nature, with astronomers forecasting a modest but worthwhile display this year.
The shooting stars originate from Earth's passage through a trail of debris left behind by comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
Even fragments as small as a grain of sand can streak across the night sky.
Britons are in for a stunning night of stargazing tomorrow evening as the Draconid meteor shower peaks
PA
Nasa notes that Draconid meteors are comparatively dim because they enter the atmosphere at roughly 40,000mph — slow by meteor standards.
“The faintness of the Draconids is due in part to the fact that they are very slow for meteors,” the US space agency explained.
“It takes a larger Draconid to produce enough light to be really noticeable.
”The shower's intensity varies considerably from year to year, depending on which portion of the comet's debris trail our planet crosses.
As many as 10 shooting stars per hour are expected after nightfall during the incredible cosmic event
GETTY
Though recent years have been quiet, the Draconids generated some of the 20th century's most spectacular outbursts in 1933 and 1946.
Conditions this year are particularly favourable, as the thin waning crescent Moon doesn't rise until shortly before dawn, leaving the evening sky dark during peak viewing hours.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich advises stargazers to seek out locations with an unobstructed horizon, minimal light pollution and dark skies.
Crucially, observers should shield their eyes from direct light sources, including phone screens, to let their vision fully adjust.
"Make sure there are no direct sources of light in your eyes, so that you can fully adapt to the local conditions and ensure that fainter meteors become visible," Royal Museums Greenwich noted.
Telescopes and binoculars offer no benefit for meteor watching; the best approach is to look upward and take in as wide a view of the sky as possible.
The Met Office forecast suggests cloud cover will be most prevalent across southern parts of the UK tomorrow evening, so those in northerly areas have the best chance of enjoying clear skies for the display.
Wherever you are, patience is key—even in a modest year, a well-timed gap in the clouds can reward the dedicated observer.
