BBC weather presenter says Draconid meteor shower 'to peak' on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - how to see it

The Draconids are set to peak on the evening of Tuesday, October 8

Meteor fans are being urged to look to the skies this week as the annual Draconid shower is set to peak. It will be visible in the northern hemisphere until Thursday, October 10, this year.

However, the BBC's lead weather presenter said that the evening of Tuesday, October 8, would see the peak. Elizabeth Rizzini said that the meteors - often referred to as shooting stars - would appear as "streaks of light in the evening sky".

She went on to say that meteor showers happen when the Earth passes through the debris of a comet or asteroid. Said debris, usually lumps of rock or ice, collide with our planet's atmosphere and burn up with the friction - this sends light streaks across the night sky.

Elizabeth said: "The point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate is known as the radiant and the quality of the display is measured by how many meteors are visible every hour - known as the zenithal hourly rate. That rate varies year by year.

"In 2024 it could be a fairly unimpressive five, but the better news is that our skies will be reasonably dark with a first quarter moon which will set early on in the evening. The Draconid meteors come from the debris of Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, with the radiant in the constellation of Draco (hence the name)."

The big question for anyone hoping to see it, though, will be whether the weather will play ball. Will the skies be clear? Sadly, for most people, the answer is 'probably not' on Tuesday for the peak.

Elizabeth said: "Low pressure to the west of Ireland will be sinking southwards, bringing swirls of showers and longer spells of rain, but there could be some clearer spells at times, especially across parts of south west England, south Wales and possibly north west Scotland.

"Although not the peak, Wednesday night could be more favourable weather-wise, with more widespread clear spells after sunset across the far south of the UK. Across the north-west of Scotland conditions will improve too with drier, less moist air filtering down on a cold northerly wind."

How to see the Draconid meteor shower

Elizabeth said - weather permitting - that the view would be best in the evening. This is because that's when Draco is high in the northern sky.

The presenter said to find a dark spot away from city lights and allow your eyes around 15 minutes to adjust to the dark. Look to the north - you won't need binoculars or a telescope as the shower will be visible to the naked eye.

Anyone who misses it - either because of the weather or another factor - will get another chance soon. On October 21 and 22 the Orionids are set to make an appearance.