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(meteorobs) Draconids
Michael Norrell wrote:
> Could anyone give me some information about when the
> Draconids occur and if there is a potential for a Draconid
> storm in the next few years?
The orbital period of P/Giacobini-Zinner is 6.5 years. Every 13 years the comet
passes the Earth's orbit when the Earth is close to the comet's node. This was
the case in 1985 and will be in 1998 again. The closest approach to the node is
at 21h UT on October 8. The maximum rates will probably comparable to the 1985
rates (i.e. several hundred/hour), NOT like the 1933 and 1946 events. Marco
Landbroek gives a detailed description in IMO's joural WGN February 1997, p. 37,
perhaps he is going to write something himself---that's why I remain brief here.
Rainer
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Rainer Arlt -- Visual Commission Director
International Meteor Organization
100114.1361@compuserve.com
Home page of IMO: http://www.imodot net
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