Look up!
At the end of July, the sky will come alive with two meteor showers, painting the night with streaks of light.
The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids are expected to peak consecutively from July 28 to July 31.
Meteor showers happen when Earth’s orbit crosses paths with clouds of debris that asteroids or comets leave behind.
As we pass through this cosmic junk, it burns up in the atmosphere, creating dazzling trails and even fireballs that can inspire wonder.
This month’s first constellation to shine is Aquarius in the southern delta.
It’s active for about six weeks, running from mid-July to late August, and originates from a short-period comet, 96P/McColtz, which circles the sun every 5.27 years.
The source of this shower is located in the Aquarius constellation, giving it its name.
The peak viewing time is around the evenings of July 28 and 29, when you might catch as many as 15 meteors an hour.
Just keep in mind that these meteors can be faint, and the waning moon might limit visibility this year.
However, the Southern Delta Aquariids have a history of surprising viewers, with notable outbursts in 1977 and 2003, so perhaps this month will bring a few extra surprises.
Both showers can be seen with the naked eye if you find a dark spot away from city lights.
Experts suggest that you give your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt to the darkness.
While many reach for telescopes, lying back and taking in the sky from a vantage point midway between the horizon and the zenith, at about 45 degrees from Aquarius, is the best approach.
The Southern Delta Aquariids are particularly well-suited for viewing in southern latitudes, whether you’re in the Southern or Northern Hemispheres.
And even if the Delta Aquariids don’t put on an impressive display, don’t fret. The Alpha Capricornids will close out the month with a celestial show on July 30 and 31.
The Alpha Capricornids come from comet 169P/NEAT, which makes its orbit around the sun every two years. As the name hints, their radiant point is found in the constellation Capricorn.
This shower may not be heavy-hitting—it produces only about five meteors per hour at its peak—but it compensates for that with notable brightness in the night sky.
It should be visible from both hemispheres, and, like its Southern counterpart, clear, dark skies will enhance the experience.
Start watching around 10 PM, and keep your gaze upward to catch the best of the show until late into the night.
