Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Thursday, October 6th.  The sun will rise at 7:46.  It’ll be up for 11 hours and 28 minutes, setting at 7:14.   The moon, 3 days past first quarter, will set at 3:26 tomorrow morning.

This weekend astronomers expect the meteor shower called the Draconids.  This is a periodic shower which is active about once every six years.  That is because it is related to a short period comet called Giacobini-Zinner.  It was discovered in 1900 by the two named astronomers.  Its orbit stretches from the earth’s orbit to somewhat past Jupiter’s.  When the comet passes near the earth’s orbit we pass through a cloud of its debris when we get to that same spot.  Giacobini-Zinner will do so next February.  The comet’s nucleus is estimated to be a bit more than a mile in diameter.  The Draconid meteors will appear to come from north of the bright star Vega, which is a bit west of overhead at 9 in the evening.

* Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Draconid Meteor Shower Radiant