Draconid Meteor Shower – October 2025

Quick Facts

Zenithal Hourly Rate: 10
Peak Date: October 8
Source: Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Speed: 14 miles (23km) per second
2025 Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

The Draconids are an oddity among meteor showers, for several reasons. This is one of the few that is best viewed in the evening, instead of the early morning hours. A typical year only sees about 10 meteors per hour, which is not a lot. But not every year is typical. 1933 saw a full on meteor storm with up to 500 falling stars per minute! Many other years have seen storms, outbursts, and elevated rates as well. Most recently was 2018 with a ZHR of 150, putting it on par with the Geminids for best of the year. This is not always predictable, though it is more likely shortly after the parent comet reaches perihelion. This possibility of seeing way more than usual, is what makes it worth watching.

*A bright Draconid seen before moonrise in Wyoming – 2020*

Source

The source of the Draconids is a comet named 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. It was discovered by Michel Giacobini in 1900. After being lost, it was rediscovered by Ernst Zinner in 1913, which is why it has two names. It is a short period comet, taking only 6.6 years to orbit the Sun. The last perihelion was in 2018, and it will next return in March of 2025. Giacobini–Zinner was the first comet to be visited by a spacecraft in 1985 by the ICE (International Cometary Explorer) mission. The comet is relatively small with a diameter of only 2 km.

*Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner in September 2018 – Vincent Bchm*

Numbers and Speed

A ZHR of 10 makes this a fairly weak meteor shower in most years. But meteor storms and outbursts are not out of the question. Meteor storms were seen in 1933 and 1946. Outbursts were observed in 1952, 1998, 2005, 2011, and 2018. The last few perihelion years have brought elevated rates, but they were measured in the hundreds, not thousands. With a speed of 14 miles per second, this is much slower than most meteor showers. They will stay visible for longer as they burn up in the atmosphere. Also keep in mind that there is overlap with the Southern Taurids, which may make identifying meteors tricky. Draconid meteors may be visible at lesser rates anywhere from October 6-10.

Radiant

As the name suggests, Draconids come from the constellation of Draco the dragon. This radiant appears in the northwestern sky in the northern hemisphere. The highest point is just after it gets dark in the evening, then it will sink lower by the hour. This is why you want to get out early after sunset, which is when meteor rates will be highest. Because of the location in the northern sky, this meteor shower is not well seen in southern latitudes. Where Draco makes it above the horizon, meteor rates will be lower, and likely none at all where it is hidden below the horizon.

This Year

In 2025, a 95% full moon will hide all but the brightest of meteors. On the peak evening of October 8th, the bright moon will rise shortly after sunset and stay up all night long. But since the parent comet reached perihelion this year, the chance exists for elevated meteor rates, which makes it worth watching despite the moonlight. You never know what you might see unless you try. If you do go out, it’s best to observe with the moon to your back. Meteor expert Mikhail Maslov notes the possibility of a short outburst this year of up to 100-150 ZHR. This is predicted to happen at 15:07 UTC October 8, which would tend to favor Asia where it is dark.

Viewing Tips

Get to the darkest skies you can. Light pollution will drown out all but the brightest of meteors. Use the light pollution map or dark site list to find a viewing spot near you.
Let your eyes adjust to the darkness. The longer you look the more stars and fainter meteors you’ll see. Any bright lights or phone screens will hinder your view. A dim red flashlight or headlamp is best for getting around.
Turn off your headlights as soon as you park your car. Be considerate if other stargazers are around so you don’t ruin their view.
A beach chair or camping chair that reclines will be the most comfortable. Otherwise laying flat on the ground on a blanket is fine. You want to take in as much sky as possible so you don’t miss anything.
Bring warm clothes. You start to feel cold fast when you’re not moving.
Hot chocolate or coffee is helpful for staying awake.
Be patient. Meteors are often spaced unevenly. Sometimes 10 minutes may pass without seeing any and then suddenly there are 10 in a single minute.
Head over to How to Photograph a Meteor Shower for more photography tips