October Draconids 2026: Excellent Viewing Conditions This Year!
In 2026, the October Draconids peak under a moonless, dark sky, making this one of the best years to observe the shower! Use the Sky Tonight app to plan your observations and set notifications so as not to miss this event. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about observing the Draconids in 2026.
Contents
- Draconid meteor shower in 2026: When and where to see?
- How to find the Draconids?
- Draconids’ parent body: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
- Draconids 2026: Conclusion
Draconid meteor shower in 2026: When and where to see?
- Active: October 6–10
- Peak of activity: October 8–9
- Meteors/hour: 5
- Moon illumination: 3%
- Radiant location: Draco
- Parent body: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
- Description: The October Draconids (often simply referred to as the Draconids) are a small meteor shower that typically produces about 5 meteors per hour at its peak, but is also known for periodic outbursts. Draconid meteors are exceptionally slow-moving, often appearing as graceful, lingering streaks.
October Draconids 2026: Visibility forecast
In 2026, no Draconid outburst is predicted, so observers should expect a typical modest display of around 5 meteors per hour. However, the big advantage this year is the moonless sky during the peak, which will make even faint Draconid meteors easier to spot.
What time is the Draconid meteor shower in 2026?
The Draconids are active from October 6 to 10, with the main maximum expected on October 9 at about 01:00 GMT. The best viewing time is in the evening of October 8 through the early hours of October 9, when the radiant in Draco is high in the northern sky.
Where to see the Draconids in 2026?
The radiant of the Draconids is located near the so-called Dragon’s Eyes – the stars Eltanin and Rastaban in the constellation Draco. But you don't have to look directly at the radiant – in fact, you shouldn't because the closer the meteors are to the radiant, the shorter their tails are. To observe the Draconids, just look overhead and be patient. For more meteor-viewing tips, check out our colorful infographic.
The Draconids are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere, where the radiant rises to its highest point in the evening sky. It's also possible to view the meteor shower from the northern latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, but it will appear less spectacular from those locations.
How to find the Draconids?
You can easily locate the Draconids' radiant in the sky above you with the free Sky Tonight app. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open the app and tap the magnifier icon.
- In the search bar, enter the meteor shower’s name – "October Draconids."
- Tap the blue target button next to the October Draconids’ radiant. The app will display the meteor shower's radiant position on the sky map.
- To locate the Draconids' radiant above you, tap the blue compass button or point your device at the sky. A white arrow will guide you to the radiant position. Move your device following the arrow until you spot the Draconids' radiant on the screen. The image corresponds to the actual sky at your location.
Draconids’ parent body: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
The Draconids come from dust shed by Comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner, which circles the Sun every 6.6 years. Each time the comet passes through the inner Solar System, it leaves a trail of debris that Earth occasionally crosses — sparking the Draconid meteor shower. While the shower is often modest, the comet’s dense dust streams have been responsible for several spectacular outbursts in the past.
Here is what the name of Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner means:
- The letter P indicates a periodic (or short-period) comet – comets of this type take less than 200 years to orbit the Sun. 21P/Giacobini-Zinner has a 6.6-year orbit;
- The number 21 indicates that it's the 21st comet of this type to be discovered;
- Giacobini and Zinner are the names of the two scientists, Michel Giacobini and Ernst Zinner, who discovered the comet. Michel Giacobini visually spotted it on December 20, 1900, from the Nice Observatory in France. Notably, his name inspired the other common designation of the Draconids – the Giacobinids. Later, German astronomer Ernst Zinner rediscovered the comet on October 23, 1913.
When the comet reaches its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun), it can create a meteor storm. Around the perihelion of 21P/Giacobini-Zinner in 1933 and 1946, the observers reported seeing several thousand meteors per hour!
21P/Giacobini-Zinner isn't just famous for producing the Draconids. It's also special for coming nearly as close to the Sun as the Earth. At its farthest point from the Sun, the comet comes just past the orbit of Jupiter. Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner has also made a great contribution to science. In 1985, it was the first comet ever visited by a spacecraft, the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) satellite, which passed through its plasma tail.
Now that you know about the first comet flyby, would you like to test your knowledge of other “firsts in space?” Challenge yourself with our quiz and impress your friends by sharing your results. Tip: you can retake the quiz to get the new set of questions and improve your score.
Draconids 2026: Conclusion
In 2026, the Draconids peak on the night of October 8–9. Thanks to the absence of the Moon in the sky, observing conditions are excellent, making this a great year to watch and photograph this gentle meteor shower. Use the Sky Tonight app to plan your viewing and set a reminder for the October Draconids’ peak.
