Image Credit: Jimmy Westlake via NASA
October 07, 2015 - 8:00 PM
OKANAGAN - Patient skywatchers will get a chance to view the Draconids meteor shower as it sets to peak this week.
The Draconids is a minor meteor shower that runs from Oct. 6 to 10 and produces about 10 meteors per hour, though has been known to produce hundreds or even thousands of ‘shooting stars’ in an hour, according to EarthSky.org.
The shower will peak the night of Thursday, Oct. 8, through the morning, and the faint crescent moon, which rises in the early morning hours and should leave the sky dark in the evening, which is the best time to view this meteor shower.
If you’re lucky you may also get a glimpse of the northern lights, which have been prominent much of the week.
Currently Environment Canada is calling for increasing cloudiness overnight Thursday throughout the Okanagan, though heading north towards Kamloops the skies should be a mix with cloudy periods.
If you miss the Draconids don’t worry, the Orionids meteor shower takes place from Oct. 4 to Nov. 14, with the peak activity Oct. 21 to 22. That shower, which is produced from the debris from Halley’s comet, produces about 20 meteors per hour during the peak and are known for being bright and fast.
Want to try your hand at some night photography? Dress warm, find a dark place outside of the city, use a tripod and check out these tips.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2015