Prepare for a meteor bathe doubleheader.
The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks in late July. And this yr, it is going to coincide with a second smaller meteor bathe, the Alpha Capricornids.
The Delta Aquariids happen yearly in North America’s late summer season. This year’s peak activity occurs early Tuesday morning, with an anticipated 15 to twenty meteors seen per hour within the Northern Hemisphere, beneath darkish skies. Viewing ought to be even higher within the Southern Hemisphere. The bathe lasts via August 21, in keeping with the American Meteor Society.
Across the identical time, the Alpha Capricornid meteor bathe ought to produce round 5 meteors per hour and lasts via August 15.
Here is what to know concerning the Delta Aquariids and different meteor showers.
What’s a meteor bathe?
A number of meteor showers happen yearly and you do not want particular tools to see them.
Most meteor showers originate from the particles of comets. The supply of the Delta Aquariids is considered from the comet 96P/Machholz. The Alpha Capricornids originate from the comet 169P/NEAT.
When rocks from space enter Earth’s environment, the resistance from the air makes them very popular. This causes the air to glow round them and briefly leaves a fiery tail behind them—the top of a “shooting star.”
The glowing pockets of air round fast-moving space rocks, starting from the dimensions of a dust particle to a boulder, could also be seen within the night time sky.
These two meteor showers should not excessive quantity, however the Alpha Capricornids typically produces very vivid meteors, mentioned College of Warwick astronomer Don Pollacco.
For skygazers, “one vivid one is price 20 faint ones,” he mentioned.
The way to view a meteor bathe
Meteor showers are often most seen between midnight and predawn hours.
It is simpler to see taking pictures stars beneath darkish skies, away from metropolis lights. Meteor showers additionally seem brightest on cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest.
And your eyes will higher tailored to seeing meteors in the event you aren’t checking your cellphone. “It ruins your night vision,” mentioned NASA’s Invoice Cooke.
The Southern Hemisphere could have one of the best view of Delta Aquariids. Coinciding with a waning moon round 30% full means the clearest viewing will occur after midnight.
When is the following meteor bathe?
The meteor society retains an up to date listing of upcoming giant meteor showers, together with the height viewing days and moonlight situations.
The following main meteor bathe would be the Perseids, peaking in mid-August.
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Two meteor showers will flash throughout the sky across the identical time in late July (2024, July 29)
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