Which of the two October meteor showers – Draconids or Orionids – is faster and why?
September 17, 2020 | Education
| The constellation of the Dragon, in the direction from which the Draconid meteors fly out, is located in the region of the pole of the ecliptic. These meteors will fly towards the Earth from the north, almost perpendicular to the direction of the Earth’s motion, and their speed relative to the Earth will be practically the same (in fact, slightly less) than their speed relative to the Sun. The Orion constellation in October is located in the direction of the Earth’s motion, and the Orionids meteors will fly towards the Earth, which will greatly increase their relative speed. The Orionids meteors are among the fastest observed on Earth.
