Tonight: Unpredictable Draconid Meteor Shower Peaks

by Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Managing Editor

Date: 07 October 2012 Time: 10:13 AM ET

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This long-exposure image taken by Jesper Grønne in Denmark shows many Draconid meteors streaking out of the sky, October 2011. CREDIT: Jesper Grønne View full size image

A meteor shower spawned by the remains of a comet will be at its best tonight, but whether the "shooting star" display will peak as amazing celestial fireworks or a cosmic fizzle remains to be seen.

The annual Draconid meteor shower will peak overnight tonight (Oct. 7 and 8) in the first of two substantial fall meteor displays in October. Astronomer Tony Phillips of the night sky observing website Spaceweather.com said the Draconids are "notoriously unpredictable," but worthy of a look by observers with dark, clear skies tonight.

"Northern-hemisphere sky watchers should be alert for slow-moving meteors emerging from the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon (not far from the North Star) on Sunday night, Oct 7th, through Monday morning Oct. 8th," Phillips wrote in weekend skywatching alert.

More - Link >>> http://www.space.com/17941-draconid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight.html

Source: Space.com .

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