The Delta Aquariids, one of the longest-lasting meteor showers of all, peaks in the early hours of … [+]
What and when is the Delta Aquariid meteor shower in 2020?
It is one of the longest meteor showers of all with some of the slowest moving “shooting stars”.
From July 12 to August 23, the Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks in the early hours of Wednesday, July 29. However, you can look at the few nights around the date and see so many shooting stars, all moving at a leisurely pace of 26 miles / 41 kilometers per second.
So this week is the ideal time to stargaze, with the possibility of shooting stars.
How to see the Delta Aquariid meteor shower in 2020
The shooting stars, about 20 per hour, will appear to originate from the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer, near the Skat star (officially called Delta Aquarii, hence the name of this meteor shower). Skat is about 160 light years away.
An hour or two before sunrise is the best time to look, in a night sky as dark as possible, and without any white light in your line of sight or optical aid to reduce your vision. Seriously, you don’t need binoculars or a telescope for this. In fact, using any one of them will greatly reduce your chances of seeing shooting stars.
On the morning of July 29, a 68% illuminated Moon will sink in the west after midnight, so moonlight will not interfere.
Shooting stars from the Delta Aquaridds meteor shower appear to originate near the star … [+]
According to the American Meteorite SocietyThere should be good meteor rates for a week centered on maximum night. It also states that Delta Aquarrids tend to be weak and lack persistent trains and fireballs.
Those in the equatorial regions and southern hemisphere get the best view of the Delta Aquariid meteor shower simply because its radiant, the point from which shooting stars tend to originate, is higher above the horizon. However, it is still possible to easily see shooting stars from the northern hemisphere during the Delta Aquariid meteor shower.
What causes the Delta Aquariid meteor shower?
Astronomers think that the Delta Aquarid meteor shower is caused by a short-period comet called 96P / Machholz, which orbits the Sun every five years.
It is the next return in the Solar System in 2023.
Comet 96P / Machholz from the HI-2 camera of the STEREO-A spacecraft, taken on April 3, 2007.
When is the next meteor shower in 2020?
The next meteor shower after the Delta Aquariids is the best-known and most beloved meteor shower of all, the Perseid meteor shower, which will run from July 23 to August 20, peaking on December 11, August.
At that time, the Delta Aquariids are still going on, so there are two main sources of shooting stars active simultaneously.
Isn’t that good news?
Normally it would be, but this year the peak of the Perseids coincides with the rise of a bright fourth-quarter Moon, so there may be much less than the approximately 100 shooting stars typically visible in a clear and dark moonless night sky. .
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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