Photography Event : The Draconids Meteor Shower : CANCELLED due to cloud cover
Details
The Draconids Meteor Shower
The Draconid meteor shower, also known as the Giacobinids, is an annual meteor shower that occurs in October
They are associated with the periodic comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. The meteors appear to come from the direction of the constellation Draco.
Activity
Under ideal conditions, with a dark sky and no moon, we might be able to see around 10 Draconid meteors per hour. However, the Draconids have had notable outbursts in the past. In 1933 and 1946, meteor storms occurred, with thousands of meteors visible per hour.
The Draconid meteor shower has been relatively quiet in recent years, with fewer meteors and no notable outbursts of activity. Nonetheless, it can still be an enjoyable event for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts.
We should also have a view of the Milky Way for around 20 minutes.
Equipment
A tripod is essential
A torch (your phone will do). Please tape a red gel over the light to protect everyones’ night vision. A red sweet wrapper is fine
A wide angle lens if possible to capture as much of the sky as you can. Anything from 10mm to 35mm, 50mm can be used if you dont have anything wider
Also a lens with a wide aperture (f.2.8) is also preferable to let in as much light as possible, but we will work with whatever you have
Camera Settings
A good starting place for Astrophotography is to shoot in manual mode, ISO 1600-3200, a shutter speed of around 15-20 seconds, and the lowest (most wide open) aperture that your lens allows
This will involve some trial and error to begin with but you should find some good settings within a few minutes
If you haven't done this kind of photography before, there will be people that can help at the event
Resources
Stellarium is a free web based planetarium with loads of features.
Stellarium home page
Youtube link ... How to Photograph a Meteor Shower
Timings
Constellation of Draco .. always visible
Moonset 18.26
Milky Way Viisble from 20.16 to 20.53
Location and Meeting Point
We are going to meet at Headley Heath.
This location is one of a few that is reccomended for star gazing in Surrey
Headley Heath Car Park (National Trust)
Free parking for National Trust members
Scan your membership card for your free ticket.
Parking charges for non-National Trust members Pay and display or pay by mobile phone with paybyphone - area code 803452 (0330 060 4037) £1.50 per hour for first 2 hours; £4 for up-to 4 hours; £6 for 5 hours and above
Google maps ... https://goo.gl/maps/isGhQEwPwtWeV1BK8
what3words ... https://w3w.co/reap.lines.sang
Payment
£10 attendance fee
Please pay at the meeting point, thank you