Scots can catch a dazzling display of shooting stars when the Draconid meteor shower begins tonight (October 6).
The meteor shower will be lighting up the night sky over five days from October 6 to 10 as the Earth slams into debris left from a comet. Stargazers should mark their calendars for the 8th - the day the shooting stars peak in 2022.
In a feature unique to the Draconids, eager viewers could spot meteors just after nightfall. The Draconids are different from other meteor showers because you won't have to stay up to the early hours.
Read on for the best time, day, and conditions to behold the shooting stars this week.
Draconid meteor shower dates
The Draconid meteor shower takes place in early October in the northern hemisphere. In 2022, the display begins October 6, with the meteors increasing each night until its peak on Saturday, October 8.
This particular shower is best seen in the early evening, offering early risers and little ones a chance to see the night sky dotted with shooting stars. That means Scots should wait around for dusk which begins around 7:15pm these days.
Although in most years the Draconids tends to be less active, it delivered thousands of meteors an hour in 1933 and 1942.
The weather and when to best see the Draconids
There are two challenges facing viewers this year - the weather and the new moon. Scots have been warned of a tempestuous 10-day spell of weather with drenching, blustery rain showers extending to next week.
Fortunately, Saturday will be dry for most, the weather will line up with the shower's peak on October 8.
Secondly, the new moon - specifically a rare double Hunter moon - is rising on October 9 and potentially the 10th at the end of the Draconids. That means stargazers will have their best chances in the first few nights of the meteor shower.
How to see the shooting stars
A clear, dark sky is the best setting for catching the spectacle - and all you need is a keen pair of eyes. Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) says there's no benefit to using binoculars or a telescope.
The RMG explains: "While most other meteor showers are best seen in the early hours, the Draconids are best seen in the evening, after nightfall."
Stargazers should find a place with very little light pollution and a good view of the skies. It's a good idea to check the forecast and try your luck on the least cloudy evenings.
"Make sure there are no direct sources of light in your eyes, so that you can fully adapt to the local conditions and ensure that fainter meteors become visible," advises the RMG.
The Draconids could be viewable for hours, so the UK Meteor Network recommends keeping warm and comfortable. Indeed, they specify a reclining chair and refreshing beverages are an "excellent idea".
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