Meteor shower
Draconids 2027: when and where to see them
The Draconids peak on the night of 8–9 October 2027. Under a dark sky you could see up to 10 meteors an hour.
Is it clear for the Draconids tonight? Check your sky- Peak night
- 8–9 October 2027
- Meteors an hour (ZHR)
- up to 10
- Best time
- in the evening
- Moon
- 65% lit
- Radiant
- Draco
- Speed
- 20 km/s
The Moon this year
The Moon is 65% lit and up in the evening, just when this shower is best, so only the brighter meteors will show.
About the Draconids
The Draconids are slow and usually weak, but unpredictable: in 1933 and 1946 they produced storms of thousands an hour, and they still have the occasional outburst. Unlike most showers, they are best in the evening, when the radiant in the Dragon is highest.
Where to look
The meteors seem to fly out of a point in Draco, the radiant, but they can appear anywhere in the sky. Look about halfway up, at a wide area of sky away from the Moon and street lights, and give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to the dark.
How to watch
- Get away from town lights if you can. A dark sky shows several times as many meteors.
- Lie back on a mat or a reclining chair, so you can watch a big piece of sky without craning your neck.
- Keep your phone away, or use a red screen: one glance at a bright screen undoes your night vision.
- Dress warmly and be patient. Meteors come in bursts, with quiet spells in between.
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