Weather of Arabia - The Jordanian sky is preparing for a distinctive astronomical show for astronomy lovers and lovers of celestial phenomena. The Jordanian sky will be the scene of a wonderful astronomical phenomenon known as the “Dragon Meteor” or “Draconid Meteor Showers.”
The President of the Jordanian Astronomical Society, Ammar Al-Sakkji, stated that next week the Jordanian sky will witness the peak of the Draco meteor shower, which is known by this name due to its celestial location close to the star Gamma Draco and the Serpent's Head star in the constellation Draco, which are two stars of medium brightness.
Al-Sakkji explained that the dragon meteor shower is considered a remnant of the dust and dust of comet Giacobini-Zener, which passes near the sun once every six and a half years. When this dust and dust enters the atmosphere at a speed of up to 20 kilometers per second, it interacts with the components of the atmosphere and forms meteors. that we see. If this dust were the size of a bean, it could turn into fireballs in the sky.
Al-Sakkji confirmed that meteor showers do not pose any danger to Earth. It burns and turns into ash before reaching the surface of the Earth at high altitudes in the atmosphere.
He pointed out that the peak of the dragon meteor showers will be next Sunday/Monday night, corresponding to October 8 and 9, 2023, and it is expected that the maximum rate of meteor showers will reach five meteors per hour in the Jordanian sky, and this is a relatively low rate.
These showers can be seen in most regions of the Kingdom, according to standard observational conditions, from sunset on Sunday until after midnight. The center of radiation is in the middle of the sky, towards the northwest, where it begins to decrease until it becomes below the horizon at 2:50 am Jordan time.
He recommended looking in all directions as well, and it is worth noting that the moon will be below the horizon during this period, as the moon rises at 1:32 in the morning and its illumination is about 26%.
Historically, the Draconic meteor shower was considered one of the most prominent astronomical phenomena, as the average number of meteors visible per hour reached thousands of meteors. Although the rate of the shower is not at this level today, it remains a wonderful sighting for astronomy enthusiasts. Astronomical models indicate that the rate of meteors is expected to increase to thousands per hour in the year 2098, and it must be noted that this shower is considered one of the least exciting meteor showers, and that the center of radiation is after sunset at the top of the sky and begins to descend to the horizon, unlike many other meteor showers. .
Also know:
What are meteors? Why does it appear bright in the Earth's sky?
Perseid meteors... where and when can you see them?
Sources:
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