Double Meteor Shower: Two meteor showers are peaking tonight, here's how to see them
The
Southern Delta Aquariids
and the
Alpha Capricornids
.
This rare cosmic double‑feature promises up to 25 shooting stars per hour, with fireballs lighting up the dark skies. Cherry on the cake? You don't even need a telescope to witness the surreal wonder under the sky!
Double meteor shower: What makes it special
On the night of July 29–30, Earth slices through debris trails from two comets simultaneously.
The Southern Delta Aquariids, shed by Comet 96P/Machholz, produce faint but steady meteors, best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Alpha Capricornids, from Comet 169P/NEAT, offer rarer but brighter fireballs that light up the night sky.
The Southern Delta Aquariids are a meteor shower visible from mid-July to mid-August each year, peaking on 28 or 29 July. The shower travels at a velocity of 25 miles per second, according to the American Meteor Society (AMS), and is best seen by those living further south.
On the other hand, Alpha Capricornids is a meteor shower that takes place as early as 7 July and continues until around 15 August. The meteor shower was discovered by Hungarian astronomer Miklos von Konkoly-Thege in 1871. This shower has infrequent but relatively bright meteors, with some fireballs.
Individually, each shower is mild: the Aquariids typically generate 15–20 meteors per hour, and the Capricornids around 5 per hour.
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However, together, they offer a lovely blend: they deliver a show of up to 25 meteors per hour, and under dark, moon‑free skies, even more.
How to witness the celestial star show (when and where)
Time:
The best viewing time is typically after midnight and before dawn, when the radiant point of the shower (the constellation Aquarius) is highest in the sky. Capricornids peak around midnight, while Aquariids crest closer to 2-3 a.m. local time. The moon will be a waxing crescent with minimal illumination (23–27% of its surface lit up), setting early in the evening, which provides darker skies and better visibility for even fainter meteors.
Look direction:
Look towards the southern sky to observe the Southern Delta Aquariids. The radiant point (where the meteors seem to originate) for the Alpha Capricornids is within the constellation Capricornus, which is located in the southern part of the sky. However, meteors can appear anywhere, so scanning the entire southern sky is best.
Location:
Find a spot far away from city lights and light pollution, such as rural areas or national forests.
Consider looking for certified International Dark Sky Parks, which offer optimal viewing conditions.
Eyes on the sky, no equipment needed:
Give your eyes at least 20-30 minutes to adapt to the darkness for optimal viewing. Avoid looking at any bright lights, including your phone, during this time. You don't need a telescope or binoculars to see the meteors; your naked eyes are sufficient. In fact, meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so a wider field of view is better.
Be patient:
Alpha Capricornids are known for producing fewer meteors (about 5 per hour at their peak) but are notable for their bright fireballs. The shower will last until dawn, giving you plenty of time to catch glimpses of meteors. The Southern Delta Aquariids tend to be fainter than other meteor showers like the Perseids, so patience is crucial for spotting them.
What's next?
Think you might miss this window for the free of cost light show? Don't worry! The legendary Perseid meteor shower is gearing up and will peak on August 12–13, though a bright full moon may dampen visibility this year. However, Eta Aquariids and early Perseid activity might sneak into tonight's show, especially if you catch meteors flying from northern skies.
Stargazers ready for exceptional meteor shower on November 21-22
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