The Draconids (DRA) are active Oct 6 – Oct 10 and peak around October 08, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 10 under ideal skies. They come from comet 21P/Giacobini–Zinner, hit the atmosphere at 20 km/s, and are best seen early evening. The moon will be about 58% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Oct 08
2027
ZHR
10
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
58%
First Quarter
Radiant
RA 262°
Dec +54°
Draconids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7:47 PM | 56° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Alaska | 9:30 PM | 64° | 9 | 57% (up) |
| Arizona | 7:27 PM | 56° | 8 | 56% (up) |
| Arkansas | 8:14 PM | 57° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| California | 8:02 PM | 58° | 8 | 56% (up) |
| Colorado | 8:09 PM | 59° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Connecticut | 7:57 PM | 61° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Delaware | 8:06 PM | 60° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| District of Columbia | 8:12 PM | 59° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Florida | 8:27 PM | 52° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Georgia | 8:37 PM | 57° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Hawaii | 7:24 PM | 46° | 7 | 57% (up) |
| Idaho | 8:48 PM | 62° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Illinois | 8:01 PM | 60° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Indiana | 8:51 PM | 60° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Iowa | 8:19 PM | 61° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Kansas | 8:30 PM | 59° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Kentucky | 8:40 PM | 59° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Louisiana | 8:05 PM | 53° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Maine | 7:46 PM | 62° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Maryland | 8:10 PM | 59° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Massachusetts | 7:51 PM | 61° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Michigan | 8:56 PM | 63° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Minnesota | 8:24 PM | 63° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Mississippi | 7:58 PM | 55° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Missouri | 8:10 PM | 59° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Montana | 8:46 PM | 63° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Nebraska | 8:46 PM | 61° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Nevada | 7:49 PM | 59° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| New Hampshire | 7:54 PM | 62° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| New Jersey | 8:03 PM | 60° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| New Mexico | 8:08 PM | 57° | 8 | 56% (up) |
| New York | 8:04 PM | 61° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| North Carolina | 8:30 PM | 57° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| North Dakota | 8:53 PM | 63° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Ohio | 8:35 PM | 60° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Oklahoma | 8:29 PM | 57° | 8 | 56% (up) |
| Oregon | 8:17 PM | 62° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Pennsylvania | 8:12 PM | 60° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Rhode Island | 7:51 PM | 61° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| South Carolina | 8:24 PM | 56° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| South Dakota | 8:01 PM | 62° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Tennessee | 7:43 PM | 57° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Texas | 8:33 PM | 54° | 8 | 56% (up) |
| Utah | 8:27 PM | 59° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| Vermont | 7:59 PM | 62° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Virginia | 8:18 PM | 58° | 8 | 55% (up) |
| Washington | 8:19 PM | 63° | 9 | 56% (up) |
| West Virginia | 8:25 PM | 59° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Wisconsin | 8:05 PM | 62° | 9 | 55% (up) |
| Wyoming | 8:31 PM | 62° | 9 | 56% (up) |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Draconids peak in 2027?
Around October 08, 2027; activity runs Oct 6 – Oct 10.
What time is best to watch the Draconids?
Early evening, when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Draconids in 2027?
The moon is about 58% lit at the peak. Plan to shoot when the moon is down or keep it behind you.