Latest news with #SoutherndeltaAquariids
NBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- NBC News
This summer, the sky comes alive with shooting stars. What you need to know about ongoing meteor showers.
Three different meteor showers are happening at the same time this month, giving skywatchers plenty of chances to spend their summer nights looking for shooting stars. The annual alpha Capricornids, the Southern delta Aquariids and the Perseid meteor showers are all currently active, with each celestial show set to last through mid-August. Here's what to know about these meteor showers, and where and how you can spot shooting stars. The alpha Capricornids The alpha Capricornids and the Southern delta Aquariids will peak in activity at the end of this month, overnight from July 29 to 30, while the Perseids — often considered the best and most reliable shooting star display — will ramp up to its peak next month. Skywatchers will likely encounter mostly favorable conditions for catching meteor showers this July, according to the American Meteor Society. The alpha Capricornids meteor shower is not typically a strong display, but it can produce a number of bright fireballs while active. At its height, the meteor shower can produce around five shooting stars per hour under dark skies and clear conditions, according to the American Meteor Society. The shower gets its name because the meteors appear to stream from the constellation of Capricorn. During this year's peak, the moon will be only 27% full, offering people on either side of the equator a chance to catch the celestial show. The alpha Capricornids meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through clouds of dust particles and debris from the comet 169P/NEAT, which completes one orbit around the sun every 4.2 years. As pieces of debris hit the planet's atmosphere and vaporize, they create bright streaks of light that sometimes leave behind bright trails. The Southern delta Aquariids The Southern delta Aquariids, as their name suggests, are best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere. This meteor shower is capable of producing up to 25 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, but the shooting stars are typically fainter. Southern delta Aquariids can be tricky to spot, according to NASA, but the best chances this year will likely be in the early morning hours. The meteor shower is thought to be caused by pieces of the comet 96P/Machholz, which completes one orbit around the sun every 5.2 years. The Perseids Finally, the Perseids meteor shower is underway and is expected to peak overnight from Aug. 12 to 13. The Perseids are usually one of the most highly anticipated skywatching events of the year because the meteor shower occurs during warm summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and it typically delivers a high rate of shooting stars. Under ideal conditions, the Perseids can produce as many as 100 shooting stars per hour. This year, however, the moon will be around 84% full, which will likely wash out meteors and 'severely compromise this shower at the time of maximum activity,' according to the American Meteor Society. 'Such conditions will reduce activity by at least 75% as only the brighter meteors will be visible,' the society said in its forecast. The Perseids shower occurs when Earth passes through a cloud of dust particles and debris left over from a comet known as 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Perseid meteor shower 2025: When is it and where can you see it?
The Perseids meteor shower is starting, and backyard astronomers will soon be able to catch a glimpse of the annual event. The meteor shower starts on Thursday, July 17, and ends Saturday, August 23, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). "The Perseids, which peaks in mid-August, is considered the best meteor shower of the year," according to NASA. "With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long 'wakes' of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth's atmosphere." The Perseids meteor shower is set to peak on the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13. Nearly 100 meteors per hour at its peak Usually, during the Perseids' peak, there will be up to 50 to 75 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, Michael Hankey, American Meteor Society Operations Manager, told USA TODAY in an email. The meteor shower is known to produce very bright meteors, often referred to as fireballs. However, in 2025, the showers' peak will not meet these ideal conditions because the moon will be too bright, Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Society's newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator, told USA TODAY. This year's peak will occur just three days after the full moon. When is the best time to see the Perseids? The best time to view the Perseids is between midnight and dawn, according to Hankey. However, one of the the best days to see the Perseids is on Wednesday, July 30, because two other meteor showers, alpha Capricornids, Southern delta Aquariids, will be happening at the same time, according to Lunsford. The new moon will also fall on July 24, according to the Farmers' Almanac. Making the night skies darker and optimal for stargazing. "With the moon bothering the Perseids this year, the last couple of days of July might be a good opportunity to see some meteors without any moon," said Lunsford. Where should you face to see the Perseids? The meteors can appear from anywhere, "Lie back, look up, and scan the entire sky," wrote Hankey. "Meteors can appear in any part of the sky, though they will appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, in the northeast." But the moon's light could affect your chances of seeing a meteor. "You should face away from the moon," said Lunsford. Those hoping to see the shower should also do the following, according to Hankey: For optimal comfort, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray, and bring a blanket or a reclining chair. Do you need any equipment to see the meteor shower? No, onlookers will not need any equipment to see the meteor shower, according to Hankey. But, Lunsford said those interested in purchasing equipment should stay away from telescopes that cheaper than $500 and recommends purchasing from Celestron. He advises beginners to opt for a telescope with a lens instead of a mirror, and for those seeking a more affordable option, he recommends a pair of binoculars.
