Airdrie skywatchers will have a chance to catch the Draconid meteor shower this week, with the annual display active from Oct. 6 to 10 and expected to peak overnight Oct. 8 into Oct. 9.
According to Timeanddate.com, the Draconids are generally a modest meteor shower, with only a handful of meteors typically visible each hour under dark skies. However, 2026 offers favourable viewing conditions because there will be no bright moonlight to wash out the meteors, with a new moon arriving Oct. 10.
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Best time and place to watch
The Draconids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, with their radiant, the point where the meteors appear to originate, located in the northern sky in the constellation Draco the Dragon.
Timeanddate.com says meteors can appear across any part of the sky, so viewers do not need to locate Draco to enjoy the shower.
The best chance to see a Draconid is a little after sunset on Oct. 8, once the sky is dark. Unlike many meteor showers, the Draconids are best viewed during the evening rather than the early morning hours.
Dark sky key to viewing
Skywatchers should move away from city lights and give their eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Checking the weather beforehand is also important, as clear skies are needed to see the meteors.
According to Timeanddate.com, the Draconids move relatively slowly compared with many other meteor showers, which can make their streaks faint but gives viewers slightly more time to spot them.
While the shower has produced dramatic bursts and meteor storms in the past, including in 1933 and 1946, Timeanddate.com says no major surge in activity is expected in 2026.
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