STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Two meteor showers will light up the night sky later this month, when they both peak from July 28-29.
The Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricorns are both currently active meteor showers, which means you may get the chance to see a shooting star gleam across the sky.
But you have a better chance of spotting a meteor when the showers peak at the end of the month, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS). Keep in mind that the moon will be about 75% full on that night, which means it may be too bright to spot the shooting stars.
The Southern Delta Aquarids are a strong shower best seen from the southern tropics, so you may not see as many meteors in the Pacific Northwest. They are usually faint meteors that lack both persistent trains and fireballs.
But they still produce good rates of meteors during their peak time, AMS states. This meteor shower is active through Aug. 23.
The Alpha Capricornids have been active since July 3, with a “plateau-like” maximum centered on July 30, according to AMS. This shower isn’t very strong and rarely produces in excess of five meteors per hour. But what’s notable about this meteor shower is the number of bright fireballs produced during its activity period.
This shower is seen equally well on either side of the equator, so be sure to search the night sky for fireballs during its active period, which ends Aug. 15.
JULY 28-29
Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower
Like the Eta Aquarids, the Delta Aquarids are best seen from the southern hemisphere, producing a minor shower in the north. A waning gibbous moon at their peak will likely drown out the scant meteors.
Alpha Capricornid Meteor Shower
Peaking the same two nights as the Delta Aquarids, the Alpha Capricornids will be another faint shower, thanks to the bright gibbous moon. Typically, this shower is known for its bright fireballs and is equally visible on both sides of the equator.
HOW TO VIEW IT
You don’t need any special equipment or skills to view a meteor shower. Find a secluded viewing spot away from city lights.
Dress for the weather and make sure you’re comfortable if you plan to stay out long. Some suggest bringing a blanket or chair with you as meteor watching can be a waiting game.
It’s important to let your eyes become adjusted to the dark (it takes about 30 minutes), according to NASA. You’ll see more meteors that way. You should also try to stay off your phone as looking at devices with bright screens can negatively affect your night vision and reduce the number of meteors you see.
Meteors will be visible in all parts of the sky.
You can use timeanddate.com’s Interactive Meteor Show Sky Map to find the current direction of a meteor shower in the sky.
IF YOU MISS IT
Don’t fret if you miss these meteor showers, as the most popular meteor shower of the year will soon be active and peak in August. The Perseids are active from July 17 to Aug. 26, and will peak on the Aug. 11-12 night.
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July 14, 2021 at 01:50AM
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Two spectacular meteor showers will peak in July. Here’s how to watch - OregonLive
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