BTN News: July has been full of cosmic events, and it has a special treat for the end of the month: a double meteor shower. The Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids will light up the night sky, offering a beautiful display for stargazers.
The Delta Aquarids meteor shower happens every year in North America. This year, it will peak early on Tuesday, July 30. During the peak, you can expect to see 15 to 20 meteors per hour under dark skies in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere will have even better views of the shower, which will continue until August 21, according to the American Meteor Society. At the same time, the Alpha Capricornids will also peak, adding about five meteors per hour. This shower will last until August 15.
What Are Meteor Showers?
Meteor showers, or “shooting stars,” happen when pieces of comets or asteroids enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, creating a streak of light. The Delta Aquarids are believed to come from the comet 96P/Machholz. The Alpha Capricornids come from the comet 169P/NEAT. These small particles, which range in size from tiny dust grains to rocks over 10 inches, create glowing trails that we can see in the night sky.
Although the Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids are not the biggest meteor showers, the Alpha Capricornids often produce bright meteors. Astronomer Don Pollacco from the University of Warwick says these bright meteors can be more impressive than many faint ones.
How to Watch the Meteor Showers in Late July
To see the meteor showers best, plan to watch between midnight and dawn. Find a dark spot away from city lights for the best view. The best conditions are on clear nights with a waning moon. Try not to use your phone, as the light can ruin your night vision.
The southern hemisphere will have the best view of the Delta Aquarids, especially after midnight when the moon is just 30% full. This makes for clear and stunning displays of shooting stars.
What Is the Next Big Meteor Shower?
The Meteor Society keeps an updated list of upcoming meteor showers. They include peak viewing dates and lunar conditions. After the Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids, the next major event is the Perseids, which will peak in mid-August.
In conclusion, the double meteor shower at the end of July is a great chance to see the wonders of the night sky. With the Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids lighting up the sky, stargazers are in for a treat. Find a dark spot, stay up late, and enjoy the show.
