Airdrie residents and astronomy enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting celestial event: the Draconid Meteor Shower, which occurs annually this month and could happen between tonight and tomorrow.
Related Stories:
- Gallery: Airdrie residents get another celestial treat with the second night of aurora awe
- Gallery: Aurora dances over Airdrie—Stunning local photos captured
This meteor shower, originating from debris left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, offers skywatchers a chance to witness streaks of light radiating from the northern constellation Draco, also known as "the dragon."
Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, a periodic comet with a diameter of approximately 2 kilometres (1.24 miles), orbits the Sun once every 6.6 years. The comet last reached its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion, in 2018. As it travels through the inner solar system, the comet's nucleus releases particles of ice and rock, creating a debris trail. The Draconid Meteor Shower lights the night sky when Earth passes through this stream.
While the Draconids are generally a modest shower, with only a few meteors visible per hour, the event has produced spectacular meteor storms in the past. Notably, in 1933, European observers reported seeing 500 meteors per minute. In 1946, viewers in the United States saw 50 to 100 meteors per minute. These rare outbursts, known as meteor storms, occur when an observer sees more than a thousand meteors per hour.
The comet associated with the Draconids has been the focus of scientific study since its discovery. Michel Giacobini first observed Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner on December 20, 1900, at the Nice Observatory in France. In 1913, Ernst Zinner recovered the comet, which led to its official naming in honour of both astronomers. The "P" in its name indicates it is a periodic comet, meaning it orbits the Sun in less than 200 years.
The Draconids provide a fascinating opportunity for both amateur and seasoned stargazers.
Airdrie residents are encouraged to find a dark spot, away from city lights, and look up to catch a glimpse of the celestial display.
The peak of the Draconid Meteor Shower is expected in the coming days, and while it may not always be a dazzling show, the possibility of witnessing a meteor storm makes it a must-watch event.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM.
DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.