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If you find the time to look at the sky on Friday night, you might be surprised at what you see.
Unlike the many meteor showers that peak in the wee hours after midnight, a meteor shower called Draconid is expected to peak from early evening until dark on Friday, and could be active for a few nights before and after its peak.
According to NASA, rain typically does not produce more than 20 meteors per hour at its peak, but in some cases it has triggered many more. In fact, in 2011, European viewers saw 600 meteors in an hour, according to Earth Sky.
Draconid meteors occur when Earth collides with debris left behind by a comet called 21P / Giacobini-Zinner – which is also why the shower was once called the October Giacobinids, according to NASA.
These meteors appear to be moving from a point near the center of Draco the Dragon’s head, a constellation in the northern hemisphere.
For optimal viewing conditions, it is best to find a dark area – with a stunning view of the sky – and try not to look at a bright light, such as a computer or cell phone screen, or any other particular place, according to NASA.
Take about 30 to 45 minutes outside before a shower to adjust to the dark. It is also recommended to climb as high as possible, so if you have access to a roof or balcony, it may be easier to see the light trails.
Annie Vainshtein is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @annievain
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