Not One But Two Meteor Showers To Be Visible In July; When And How To Spot Them?
Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat later this month as two phenomenal meteor showers, the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids, are set to peak simultaneously in a rare celestial event. On the night of July 30, the skies will light up with meteors originating from the constellations Aquarius and Capricorn, offering a mesmerising display for stargazers.
The best viewing opportunities will be in the southern hemisphere and parts of the northern hemisphere closer to the equator, away from the glare of urban lights. For optimal viewing, Earthsky.com suggests heading outside before the moon rises after midnight.
Stargazers should look towards the constellations of Orion, Perseus, Gemini, Aquarius, and Capricorn to catch up to 25 to 30 meteors per hour. You can use astronomy apps to locate the constellations.
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet or asteroid. These particles enter the Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds and burn up, creating streaks of light.
The Delta Aquariids are an annual meteor shower that typically runs from mid-July to late August, with the peak occurring around July 28-30. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, particularly near one of its brightest stars, Delta Aquarii.
According to NASA, this shower is associated with the comet 96P/Machholz, which orbits the Sun approximately every five years.
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The Alpha Capricornids are a smaller but equally fascinating meteor shower that peaks around the same time as the Delta Aquariids. They are believed to originate from the comet 169P/NEAT.
To maximise the viewing experience later this month, find a dark location away from city lights with a clear view of the sky. Give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the darkness.
(Image: ESA)
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