Latest news with #SouthernDeltaAquariids
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Don't miss it: 25 shooting stars an hour to light up the sky on July 29–30!
Stargazers across the globe are in for a spectacular treat as two meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid , are set to peak on the night of July 29 to July 30, offering viewers the chance to witness up to 25 shooting stars per hour under dark skies, as per a report by Live Science. This rare celestial event coincides with a favorable moon phase, making conditions ideal for meteor viewing, especially in regions with minimal light pollution. 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Active from July 18 through August 12, these meteors will peak in the final days of July with expected hourly rates reaching 20 meteors per hour, according to astronomical societies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Can't Believe She Wore That To The Red Carpet Golfhooked Read More Undo The Alpha Capricornids , meanwhile, will add their own charm to the show with a smaller but no less impressive contribution of five to 10 meteors per hour. Together, these overlapping showers could produce an average of 25 visible meteors per hour at peak, offering skywatchers a dazzling visual experience. Southern Hemisphere to Enjoy Prime Viewing While both hemispheres will witness the dual showers, the Southern Hemisphere is expected to enjoy the best viewing conditions due to the position of the meteor radiants. The Southern Delta Aquariids originate from the Aquarius constellation, which lies lower in the southern sky for Northern Hemisphere observers but rises higher when viewed from the south. Live Events Observers in the Northern Hemisphere are encouraged to look toward the southern sky during the predawn hours of July 30, when the Aquarius and Capricornus constellations are most elevated. This positioning will maximize visibility of both showers. Origins in the Dusty Wake of Comets The Southern Delta Aquariids are associated with Comet 96P/Machholz, a 6-kilometre-wide icy body discovered in 1986. This comet, which completes a solar orbit every 5.3 years, is believed to leave behind a trail of space debris that Earth passes through annually during its journey around the sun. On the other hand, the Alpha Capricornids are linked to Comet 169P/NEAT, discovered in 2002. This comet, roughly 3.2 kilometers in diameter, takes 4.2 years to orbit the sun and is known for producing bright, colorful, and slower-moving meteors. Meteor Showers Explained Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through trails of debris left behind by comets or asteroids. These particles, called meteoroids, enter Earth's atmosphere at high speeds and burn up due to friction, creating what we commonly refer to as 'shooting stars.' Though they appear to streak from a single point in the sky—known as the radiant—these meteors can be seen all across the sky. During the July 29-30 peak, the radiant points of both showers will appear near each other, making it difficult to distinguish which shower a meteor belongs to. Wide Viewing Window for Southern Delta Aquariid Shower Unlike some meteor showers that offer only a narrow peak window, the Southern Delta Aquariids provide a full week of increased activity around the peak night. The American Meteor Society notes that rates remain relatively high from July 24 to July 31, giving enthusiasts multiple opportunities to enjoy the show, even outside the core peak. Ideal Conditions for a Night Under the Stars This year, the absence of a bright moon will allow optimal viewing of the dimmer Southern Delta Aquariids, enhancing their visibility. Clear skies, minimal light pollution, and patience are key for catching the full extent of the celestial display, as mentioned in the report by Live Science. Observers are advised to: Find a dark spot, away from urban light. Lie flat on your back or recline in a chair, allowing your eyes to adjust for at least 20–30 minutes. Look generally southward, especially in the early hours before dawn. Why This Year's Event Stands Out While both meteor showers occur annually, this year's synchronized peak and moonless sky make the 2025 display particularly noteworthy. Given the long trail periods and dual sources, the night promises both subtle and vivid fireballs racing across the sky. This year's spectacle also arrives at a time when interest in astronomy continues to grow, fueled by recent global celestial events and expanding public access to educational tools and mobile stargazing apps. What Not to Expect Despite the excitement surrounding the dual peak event, astronomers caution that the meteor count can vary due to weather, viewing location, and atmospheric clarity. The numbers, up to 25 meteors per hour, are estimates based on optimal conditions. Still, even modest displays offer an awe-inspiring experience for those under dark skies. FAQs How many shooting stars can viewers expect to see per hour? Under ideal dark-sky conditions, viewers could see up to 25 meteors per hour during the peak night. What makes this year's meteor shower display special? This year's dual peak coincides with a favorable moon phase, meaning minimal moonlight interference and clearer visibility of both bright and faint meteors.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Science
- Sky News AU
Two major meteor showers will peak at the end of the month and light up night sky over NSW
Sydneysiders are expected to get a rare celestial treat at the end of the month with two meteor showers set to light up the night sky. The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Capricornids will peak days apart from each other - with the former peaking on July 28 and the Capricornids peaking on July 30. Speaking to TimeOut Sydney, Associate Professor Devika Kamath from Macquarie University's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences said the best times to view the meteor showers are between midnight and 4am. 'In the early evening, the radiants (the points where meteors appear to originate) rise in the northeast," she said. "By midnight, they're high in the northern sky, and by pre-dawn, they drift toward the northwest. Scanning this arc will maximise your chances of catching long, dramatic trails.' But Sydneysiders expecting to see this spectacle may want to travel outside the Sydney area to areas like the Blue Mountains or regional areas outside the city. Last year, a full moon ruined the chance of many Australians to view the Geminid meteor shower before Christmas. Speaking to SBS News about the Geminid showers last year, professor of astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland Jonti Horner said viewing meteor showers is often contingent on the light that is available. 'What a full moon does is it puts a lot of natural light pollution up in the sky, and so it hides the meteors," she said. She also said that artificial light pollution from the cities can also mask the meteors. Meteors are space rocks that burn up in the atmosphere, most of them originating from a comet or an asteroid field. Some pass through intact, but others burn up leaving a trail which has been termed as a shooting star.
CNET
5 days ago
- Science
- CNET
Two Meteor Showers Are Peaking on the Same Night in July. How to Catch a Glimpse
Meteor showers happen all year. They happen so often that they overlap for significant percentages of the year. There are two times when three meteor showers will be active in October, for example. But a rarer feat? Having two meteor showers that peak at the same time. It'll happen later this month, on July 29. The show will come courtesy of the Alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids meteor showers. The former began on Saturday and runs through Aug. 12, with a peak of July 29. Southern delta Aquariids will start on July 28, peaks early on July 29, and then runs until Aug. 12 as well. That means for one evening, the two meteor showers are peaking at the same time, giving stargazers a much better chance at catching a shooting star. Of the two, the Southern delta Aquarids is typically the larger meteor shower, tossing upwards of 25 meteors per hour during its zenith. Alpha Capricornids is a lesser meteor shower, with about five per hour on average. Combined, they'll output an estimated 30 per hour. Tips to see two meteor showers at once Since the meteors are coming from two different points in the sky, you would think spotting meteors from both would be difficult, but that is far from the truth. Alpha Capricornids, which hails from the 169P/NEAT comet, originates from the Capricornus constellation. It will rise from the eastern skies across the continental US around sunset and streak across the southern sky, setting in the western sky at sunrise. For the Southern delta Aquariids, its radiant — the point from which its meteors seem to originate — is the Aquarius constellation. Aquarius is right next to Capricornus. That means it also rises out of the eastern horizon, streaks across the southern sky, and sets in the western horizon around dawn. If you have trouble finding either of them, Stellarium's free sky map will help you hunt them down. Set the time, date and location, and you're off to the races. Once you find one, the other one is essentially right there next to it. Tips on spotting meteor showers As per the norm, the tips here are the same as they are for the aurora borealis and planet parades. Light pollution and weather are your two biggest enemies. Since you can only do anything about one of those, let's focus on light pollution. You'll want to drive as far away from the city and suburbs as possible, as the light pollution will make it difficult to see the dimmer meteors. The further away you are, the better, as even suburban light pollution can obfuscate most meteors. Once out there, you just have to sit and wait. Since the constellations will move across the south as you watch, you may have to rotate your chair if you're out there for a while. Otherwise, a pair of binoculars may help. Telescopes aren't recommended, as they obscure your field of view and may actively obstruct your ability to see meteors.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How you can watch two meteor showers at the same time in July
The summer sky will light up later this month as two meteor showers, the Southern delta Aquariids and alpha Capricornids, are set to peak on the same night. The alpha Capricornids, which are produced by the comet 169P/NEAT, are currently in full swing, according to NASA. The Southern delta Aquariids, which are produced by the comet P/2008 Y12, will begin on July 18. Skygazers will be treated with the two showers converging on the night of July 29 and into early July 30, according to the American Meteorological Society. The Southern delta Aquariids are a strong shower that will produce about 20 meteors per hour during its peak, the AMS said. The alpha Capricornids will not produce as many, reaching only about 5 meteors per hour, but the meteors that will be visible will be quite bright. The Southern delta Aquariids, as their same suggests, will be most visible from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly from the southern tropics. However, the AMS notes that they will still be visible to those in the Northern Hemisphere looking toward the southern skies. Luckily for skygazers, the alpha Capicornids will be equally visible to those on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the AMS added. How To Watch Fox Weather Views of the fireballs are expected to be clear on the dark night sky – weather permitting, of course – as the Moon will only be 27% full. This means the brightness of our lunar satellite will not detract from the brightness of the Southern delta Aquariids and alpha article source: How you can watch two meteor showers at the same time in July
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Stargazers' delight: When and where to view July's major meteor showers.
It's time to look up at the night sky again. You'll soon be able to see two major meteor showers: ◾ The first shower: The Southern Delta Aquariids will be active from July 18 to Aug. 12. It's expected to peak on July 29-30, according to the American Meteor Society. ◾ The second shower: The Perseid meteor shower, the largest of the two, will be active from July 17 to Aug. 23. It's expected to peak on Aug. 12 and 13, but the viewing experience may be diminished by the moon's brightness. Here's where and when you can test your stargazing skills and catch a glimpse of these popular meteor showers Where to see Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower Between July 18 and Aug. 12, you can see the Southern Delta Aquariids shower in the Northern Hemisphere by looking to the south. Under dark skies, the shower can have a maximum hourly rate of 15-20 meteors. It occurs at the beginning of the Perseids. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Comet of origin for Southern Delta Aquariids The source of the Southern Delta Aquariids is a comet, just like other meteor showers. Comet 96P/Machholz is thought to be the source of the shower. According to EarthSky, this comet was discovered in 1986 and is noted for leaving a track of debris as it orbits the sun. More: People reported earthquakes and fire in the sky. It was probably a meteor. Where to see the Perseid meteor shower The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most impressive in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be active between July 14 to Sept. 1 and is expected to peak on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13. The bright waning gibbous moon may impede your view as it peaks. You have the best chance of viewing meteors right before dawn. That's because the Perseids' radiant point, which is where the meteors seem to come from, is at its highest in the sky, according to EarthSky. Rural areas often see between 50 and 75 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. To get a view of it, look toward the northeast, toward the constellation Perseus. Comet of origin for Perseids The Comet Swift-Tuttle is the source of the Perseid meteor shower. According to NASA, the comet was discovered by American astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle in 1862. The space debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet interacts with our atmosphere to produce the well-known Perseid meteor shower. Which meteor shower has the brightest meteors? The most active and spectacular meteor showers are usually thought to be the Perseids and Geminids. The Geminids are active on the chilly days of December, while the Perseids peak on warm August nights, making them easier to observe. How to best view a meteor shower Tips on how to catch the best views of a meteor shower, according to EarthSky. ◾Location, location, location: Find a spot away from city lights, locate the radiant in the sky and get comfortable. ◾No lights: Your eyes will need to adjust to the darkness, which could take 15 to 20 minutes. ◾Dress for the weather: Bring blankets or a camping chair to make the viewing comfortable. ◾Relax: Chill and take in the evening's sky. Not all meteor showers are spectacular.
