The stargazing summer continues this week when not just one but two meteor showers will peak, providing much-needed nightly entertainment for those willing to stretch their necks skyward. Both are annual events, but what they lack in rarity they make up for in show business.
The Delta Aquariids meteor shower is so named because its meteors appear to originate near the star Delta Aquarii, which is part of the constellation Aquarius. It actually originates from a comet named 96P / Machholz and occurs from July 12 to August 23, and at its peak, which is this week, it can produce 20 meteors per hour.
The Alpha Capricornids meteor shower occurs between mid-July and mid-August, as a result of dust from Comet 169P / NEAT. This year, it is peaking between July 25-30, albeit with less impressive three meteorites visible per hour. But what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in fireballs.
That’s right, fireballs. You don’t want to miss those.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes near the debris trails left by comets and asteroids driven by the gravitational pull of the sun. The bright streaks we can see are pieces of that trail that disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere.
The current two meteor showers can be glimpsed without increase in areas where light pollution is not as severe, although the Delta Aquariids are best viewed from the southern hemisphere.
If the weather isn’t cooperative or you just don’t have a chance to stargaze, another meteor shower, the Perseid, is just a few weeks away.
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Two Meteor showers are happening right now. Here is how to see them. first appeared in Fatherly.
