Moon Dynamics for October Draconids Meteor Shower in 2026

The visibility of a meteor shower depends on the Moon's position and brightness. This chart provides a detailed view of the moon dynamics for this specific meteor shower, helping you determine the best times to observe.

The blue and white areas represent night and day, while the reddish area highlights when the radiant is above the horizon. A white line marks the radiant's transit time, and the grey area shows when the Moon is above the horizon. While many focus on the meteor shower's peak date, it is often preferable to choose a time with dark skies rather than one where the Moon's brightness interferes with visibility. Click on the chart to view detailed Sun and Moon events for a specific date in the table above, ensuring you have all the information needed for a perfect stargazing experience.

October Draconids Meteor Shower

Draconids Meteor Shower

The Draconids are an annual meteor shower that typically peaks around October 8–10. They are associated with Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, which leaves a stream of debris in Earth's orbit. When Earth passes through this debris, small particles enter the atmosphere at high speed, creating the meteors that make up the shower.

Unlike many other meteor showers, the Draconids are best observed in the early evening, soon after nightfall, rather than after midnight. This is because the radiant — the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate — is located in the constellation Draco, near the bright star Thuban. In the early evening, the radiant is already high above the northern horizon, making it easier to spot meteors. As the night progresses, the radiant gradually descends toward the horizon, so the number of visible meteors typically decreases.

Draconid meteors are slow-moving compared to other showers, traveling at approximately 20 km/s. They often produce bright, colorful streaks and, on rare occasions, spectacular outbursts that can briefly create dozens or even hundreds of meteors per hour. Under normal conditions, however, observers can expect roughly 10–20 meteors per hour.

Observing tips

• Look toward the northern sky, near the constellation Draco.
• Early evening is generally the best time to watch, though meteors can appear anytime the sky is dark.
• Choose a dark location away from city lights for optimal viewing.
• Give your eyes time to adapt to the darkness (20–30 minutes) before observing.

The Draconids are a unique autumn shower for stargazers, appreciated for their calm, slow-moving meteors and occasional dramatic outbursts. Even in years of modest activity, they offer a peaceful opportunity to enjoy the night sky from the Northern Hemisphere.

Discover the October Draconids Meteor Shower, including:

Radiant Position:

• Right Ascension: 17h 30m 00s"
• Declination: 55° 00' 00s

Peak Activity: This meteor shower is active from October 04 to October 10, with peak activity typically occurring around October 07, when the shower’s rate of meteors per hour is at its highest.

Associated Parent Comet: The October Draconids originates from debris left by 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. The comet's debris intersects Earth's orbit, creating the meteor shower.

October Draconids Observation History

This section provides a record of previous meteor shower activity, including the start, end, and peak dates. While meteor showers are often associated with traditional dates, it's important to note that these dates may vary slightly each year due to solar and atmospheric conditions.

This table serves as a helpful reference, and observers should be aware that the exact dates may shift. Be sure to check updated forecasts closer to the event to determine the best time to observe the shower, as these dates can differ from year to year.

Use this historical data as a guideline for when meteor showers typically occur, but remember that the exact timing may vary slightly each year.