The Draconid meteor shower peaks tonight. Here's where to look in Massachusetts.
BOSTON - The Draconid meteor shower peaks tonight. While this is not typically one of the better shows of the year, there are a few reasons why you shouldn't completely write this one off if you're viewing from Massachusetts.
When and where to see the Draconid meteor shower
Typically, we have to wait until after midnight to see the best meteor showers as they almost always appear to emanate from constellations that rise above the horizon late at night.
The Draconids get their name from their origin constellation Draco, "The Dragon" which is located in the northern sky. Therefore, we should be able to see some meteors earlier in the evening, really any time after dark.
More good news, the viewing conditions look great. Skies will be mostly clear Tuesday night and there will be very little natural light pollution as the waxing crescent moon will be setting shortly after 9 p.m. The only real bright object in the sky will be the planet Venus in the western sky.
How to see the Draconid meteor shower
As always, to maximize your chances of see a few shooting stars, you should find a location with as little artificial light as possible and also one with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky.
Best case scenario, you may catch one meteor every five minutes or so. It's not a blockbuster show, but still pretty cool.
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