Enjoying The Night Sky Decorated With Draconid Meteor Showers

Illustration (Photo: Ferando Rodrigues Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Previously, Mars was in the closest distance to Earth. This time the night sky will be decorated with a Draconid meteor shower.

According to a report from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), this meteor shower will last until October 10, 2020. Interestingly, the peak period for the Draconid meter rain occurs tonight, October 8, 2020.

This Draconid meteor shower phenomenon can be observed from Jakarta, Jayapura and Makassar, with the best time being seen around 18.15 to 21.30 at night. With an observable intensity of 4 meteors per hour.

But keep in mind, to observe this space phenomenon cannot be done in urban areas that are prone to light pollution because Draconid meteorological rain will appear dimly. To be clearer, you can use binoculars or telescopes.

Reported by CNET, this one meteor shower was produced from fragments of comet 21P / Giacobini-Zinner. The American Meteor Society has reported that this meteor shower was the most spectacular phenomenon in history.

"The last time it passed perihelion (its closest point to the Sun) was around 2018, and there were a lot of Draconid meteor showers around that time," wrote Astronomer Tony Phillips.

All you need to know: Draconids in 2020 ☄️October's Draconid meteor shower - sometimes called the Giacobinids - is gearing up, with the Draconids' expected peak night to fall this evening. Read more: https://t.co/ishKkF9NYR 👓Image via EarthSky. pic.twitter.com/Onot50CuIO

- EarthSky (@earthskyscience) October 7, 2020

The Draconid meteor shower was first observed in 1933 via skywatchers, which captured 500 meteor fragments per minute. Even in 1946, this one meteor shower was observed on a large scale.

The name Draconid meteor shower is taken from the constellation Draco in the northern sky. Because the radian point or the point of appearance of this one meteor shower comes from the constellation Draco.