This Wednesday and Thursday evening could be the best opportunity of the year to see some falling stars or even a fireball in the sky without putting a lot of effort or planning into the business.
The Draconid meteor shower will peak on Wednesday evening just before sunset. Most similar showers require you to stay up late or get up well before sunrise to see the best part of the show, but the Draconids are the rare ones that kick in shortly after dinner.
The Draconids are what the American Meteor Society regards as variable meteor showers, which means that they are usually not that exciting - they produce only a few falling stars per hour at best - but, in rare cases, can produce strong activity.
A major outbreak is not predicted for this year, but there is reason to hope that the 2020 Draconids could be a little livelier.
The Draconids occur when the Earth crosses traces of debris left over from previous visits by Comet 21P / Giacobini-Zinner. AMS reports that our planet is expected to pass through two trails of dust and other debris left by the space snowball on its travels to the inner solar system as early as 1704 and 1711.
2020 Perseid meteor shower photos shine brightly in a dark year
It is possible that this will lead to an increase in activity, and it particularly favors the east coast of the United States, where the peak of activity will come at nightfall and the constellation of Draco the Dragon is high in the sky. The traces of the draconids seem to come from the dragon's head, hence the name of the shower.
The shower should be visible to sky watchers in other parts of the world as well. The astronomer Dr. Tony Phillips estimates that meteor fans in the northern hemisphere should be able to see up to 10 an hour. People south of the equator won't be completely cut off from the fun, but expect fewer falling stars.
To get a look at the Draconids for yourself, plan to go outside as soon as night falls on Wednesday and maybe Thursday as well. Walk as far away from any light pollution as possible, to a place with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky. Lie on your back, let your eyes adjust, and just watch. If you can find Draco in the sky, great, but you should be able to see meteors without focusing on any particular part of the sky.
Should you happen to catch a photo of something spectacular in the sky, don't forget to share it with me on Twitter @EricCMack.