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Dr Minjae Kim on Draconid meteor shower

Dr Minjae Kim, Research Fellow, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, said: "Meteor showers are a result of Earth's journey through clouds of cometary debris. An example of this phenomenon is the Draconid meteor shower, which originates from the remnants of comet 21 P/Giacobini-Zinner, often referred to as "Giacobinids." Interestingly, despite their name, the Draconid meteor shower is not directly related to the Draco constellation; they simply appear to emanate from a point within it.

 

"In 2023, the Draconid meteor shower will be active from 6-10 October, with its peak occurring around 8-9 October. During this period, the Moon will be in its Last Quarter phase, providing favourable conditions for observation. The optimal viewing time for this meteor shower is in the evening, after nightfall, as the radiant point of the shower reaches its highest point in that constellation of the night sky at this time. To fully appreciate this celestial event, minimal light pollution is ideal. Find a location with an unobstructed horizon that offers a clear view of the stars on a dark, cloud-free night."

Thu 05 Oct 2023, 14:57 | Tags: Physics, Space, astronomy, astrophysics