Celestial Spectacle Over Vienna: Supermoon Meets Dragon Meteor Shower

In the early morning of October 7th, a special celestial spectacle is on the horizon: the first supermoon of the year, also known as the "Harvest Moon," reaches its peak at 5:47 AM (CEST). Simultaneously, the Draconid meteor shower will be visible - a rare combination.

Astronomer Eva Aumüller from the Vienna Adult Education Centers explains: When the full moon coincides with its closest position to Earth, it is colloquially referred to as a supermoon. However, it is not a formally defined astronomical term. The constellation Draco, from which the Draconids originate, is located towards the north to northeast.

Poor Conditions for Observation in Vienna

Despite the bright moonlight and meteor shower, experts warn against having too high expectations for visibility. The difference in size or brightness between a supermoon and a regular full moon is less than one percent – barely noticeable to the naked eye. Additionally, the brightly shining moon makes it difficult to see meteors – especially in urban areas with light pollution like Vienna.

Under ideal conditions, according to Aumüller, up to ten meteors per hour could be visible. In Vienna, the actual rate under these conditions is likely to be between zero and one meteor per hour. With a bit of luck, there may be breaks in the clouds for observation - weather forecasts suggest that the sky will be changeable.

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