Draconids
The Draconids are an October meteor shower from Comet Giacobini–Zinner, usually weak but capable of storms.
The Draconids peak around 8 to 9 October, with meteors radiating from the head of Draco, the dragon, in the northern sky. In most years only a few meteors per hour are seen, but occasionally the shower erupts into a storm. In 1933 and 1946, observers saw thousands of meteors per hour.
The parent is Comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner, a Jupiter-family comet that orbits the Sun every 6.6 years. Storms happen when Earth passes through a fresh, dense dust trail recently released by the comet. Outbursts were also seen in 2011 and 2018, and the 2011 event was predicted and studied by aircraft.
Draconid meteors are very slow, about 20 kilometres per second, because the comet's orbit carries particles towards Earth from behind. The radiant is highest in the evening, which makes the Draconids unusual: unlike most showers, the best time to watch is just after dark, ideal for younger observers.
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Level: Explorer Ages 10 and up