Tonight, meteor showers from the 'cosmic dragon' awaken: Is a meteor storm imminent?

According to Timeanddate.com , the Draconids meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that occurs from October 6th to 10th, meaning tonight is the first day of activity for this meteor shower. The shower will reach its peak on October 8th and 9th.

PHOTO: THANH TUNG

The brightest point of the meteor shower is Draco, also known as the Dragon constellation, which can be found in the northern sky. Draco is always visible in the Northern Hemisphere under clear skies. That's why when this meteor shower appears, it's likened to the "cosmic dragon" awakening.

The Draconid meteor shower's brightest point is near the stars Eltanin and Rastaban, at the head of the constellation Draco in the northern sky. Its northernmost position is why the Draconids are best observed from the Northern Hemisphere, including Vietnam.

Meteor shower "falls from the tail of a cosmic dragon"

As one of the largest constellations in the northern sky, Draco is best visualized at this time of year as a winding dragon's tail, forming a vague Z shape above the Big Dipper in the sky. This is also why many people call the Draconids meteor shower "falling from the tail of a cosmic dragon."

Researchers say the Draconids meteor shower, also known as the Giacobinids, is a truly unusual meteor shower because its brightest point is high in the night sky.

That's why you see more Draconids meteors in the evening than in the morning after midnight. Most other meteor showers are the opposite. The key comet of this meteor shower is comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.

According to the Hanoi Astronomical Society (HAS), what's special this year is that there's almost no moonlight hindering the viewing of the Draconids meteor shower at its peak. The new moon occurs on October 10th, meaning the sky on the night of peak will be much darker, creating a great opportunity to hunt for streaks of light from the constellation Draco.

PHOTO: THANH TUNG

This meteor shower could have as many as 5-10 meteors per hour. "Don't let this number fool you into thinking the Draconids are just a modest display. This is actually one of the most unpredictable meteor showers. In the past, it has unexpectedly erupted into meteor storms, with thousands of streaks appearing every hour in 1933 and 1946," HAS stated.

After saying goodbye to this meteor shower, astronomy enthusiasts will witness the peak of the Orionids meteor shower. This meteor shower is active from October 2nd but reaches its peak on October 21st. Begin observing from after midnight in the east until before dawn.