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Sky News AU
11 hours ago
- Science
- Sky News AU
Two major meteor showers will peak at the end of the month and light up night sky over NSW
Sydneysiders are expected to get a rare celestial treat at the end of the month with two meteor showers set to light up the night sky. The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Capricornids will peak days apart from each other - with the former peaking on July 28 and the Capricornids peaking on July 30. Speaking to TimeOut Sydney, Associate Professor Devika Kamath from Macquarie University's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences said the best times to view the meteor showers are between midnight and 4am. 'In the early evening, the radiants (the points where meteors appear to originate) rise in the northeast," she said. "By midnight, they're high in the northern sky, and by pre-dawn, they drift toward the northwest. Scanning this arc will maximise your chances of catching long, dramatic trails.' But Sydneysiders expecting to see this spectacle may want to travel outside the Sydney area to areas like the Blue Mountains or regional areas outside the city. Last year, a full moon ruined the chance of many Australians to view the Geminid meteor shower before Christmas. Speaking to SBS News about the Geminid showers last year, professor of astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland Jonti Horner said viewing meteor showers is often contingent on the light that is available. 'What a full moon does is it puts a lot of natural light pollution up in the sky, and so it hides the meteors," she said. She also said that artificial light pollution from the cities can also mask the meteors. Meteors are space rocks that burn up in the atmosphere, most of them originating from a comet or an asteroid field. Some pass through intact, but others burn up leaving a trail which has been termed as a shooting star.
NBC News
3 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
5 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.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
The Perseid Meteor Shower Begins Tonight — Here's When To See It At Its Best
This week sees the start of the year's most famous meteor shower, the Perseids. Peaking each August, the Perseid meteor shower is the most popular and celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere thanks to its coinciding with warm summer nights, but this year, an awkwardly-timed full moon means some careful planning is required to avoid a washout. A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky during the Perseid meteor shower in Vinton, California, Aug. ... More 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Clifford, File) AP2009 The Perseid meteor shower is active from July 17 through Aug. 23, peaking overnight on Aug 12-13. The peak night provides around 50-75 meteors per hour, but in 2025 that will be reduced by about 75%, according to the American Meteor Society. The problem in 2025 is a full sturgeon moon, which rises on Aug. 9 and will still be very bright on Aug 12-13, rising just as the peak of the Perseids gets underway and remaining in the sky for the rest of the night. The darkest skies closest to the peak are from July 18-28 and Aug. 16-26, all far from the peak nights, with only very reduced rates possible. July 29-30 sees the peak of two other meteor showers — the Southern delta Aquariids, which offers 25 shooting stars per hour, and the alpha Capricornids, with about five, though they tend to be bright "fireballs." Another option is to wait until Aug. 15, when the moon will rise around midnight close to the Pleiades open star cluster. If you're planning to observe meteors, make sure the moon will be down. After all, it's the biggest light polluter there is in the night sky and will render pointless a trip to dark regions on a light pollution map or a Dark Sky Place. As well as a dark sky, a clear sky is required, so check the weather forecast in advance. Find somewhere with a clear view of as much of the night sky as possible, packing extra layers to keep warm, as well as bug spray, snacks and drinks. Be patient, giving your eyes at least 30 minutes to dark-adapt before expecting to see shooting stars. Take a break every 30 minutes and avoid looking at a smartphone, which will kill your night vision. The Giant Comet That Causes The Perseids All meeor showers are caused by streams of dust and debris left in the inner solar system by comets or large asteroids. In the case of the Perseids, it's Comet Swift-Tuttle, which at 16 miles (26 km) has the largest nucleus of any comet known to regularly pass close to Earth. That's about twice the size of the asteroid believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs, according to It was last in the inner solar system in 1992 and will next visit in 2125. Forbes NASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To Go By Jamie Carter Forbes Get Ready For The Shortest Day Since Records Began As Earth Spins Faster By Jamie Carter Forbes NASA Spacecraft 'Touches Sun' For Final Time In Defining Moment For Humankind By Jamie Carter
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Summer meteor showers: When, where to see Perseids, 2 others in Ohio, US
If it feels like it's been a while since you've been able to watch a stunning meteor shower light up the night sky, you're in luck. Following a nearly two-month "shooting stars" drought, three meteor showers are set to become active concurrently in July. The celestial activity will then hit a crescendo in August with the peak of what is widely considered the best meteor shower of the year: the Perseids. Here's everything to know about the summer's upcoming meteor showers, headlined by the spectacular Perseids, and how you can see them in Ohio. Stargazers' delight: When and where to view July's major meteor showers. Perseid meteor shower underway: Where, when to look up With its whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs, the Perseid meteor shower reliably puts on a spectacle every year for stargazers around the world. Spectators who step outside at just the right time could be treated to up to 100 Perseid meteors per hour streaking across the night sky, leaving long wakes of light and color behind them. In 2025, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to become active Thursday, July 17, and remain so until Aug. 23, according to the American Meteor Society. The Perseids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere. Once the sun sets and the moon is below the horizon, spectators should only have to contend with local light pollution and clouds that could interfere with the number of meteors they can see. Like all meteor showers, the Perseids are best viewed during the dark hours between midnight and dawn. However, it is possible under the right conditions to view Perseid meteors as early as 10 p.m. ET, according to NASA. But perhaps the best part of the Perseids? Because they peak in summer, spectators don't have to contend with cold weather like they do when other famous meteor showers, such as the Leonids and Geminids, hit their peak activity. When is the next meteor shower? 2 to peak at same time What's more, the Perseids aren't the only meteor shower lighting up the night sky this summer. Both the Southern delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are due to peak at the same time between July 29 and July 30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Capricornids began their activity July 12 and will be followed by the Southern delta Aquarids (also spelled "Aquariids") Friday, July 18. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12. Unfortunately, neither shower is famed for being very strong. The Southern Delta Aquarids are faint meteors that are difficult enough to spot as it is. But if the moon is visible at all, it will be nearly impossible, according to NASA. These are the best places to view meteor showers in Ohio So where are the best places to go in Ohio to see the meteor showers? The International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program, an internationally recognized organization that certifies communities, parks and protected areas around the world that preserve dark skies, has two suggestions. The IDSP-designated dark sky places in Ohio are: Geauga Observatory Park: Located in Montville Township in Geauga County, this park was selected as a dark sky park in 2011, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The park is centered around the Nassau Observatory, which moved from Cleveland to Geauga County in 1957 due to light pollution. It fell out of routine use in the 1990s. Fry Family Park: Located in Magnolia, about 10 miles south of Canton, the park also earned the distinction of being an IDSP-certified urban dark sky area, which means stargazers still get a good view of the night sky despite its proximity to a city. Other dark sky destinations around Ohio, according to Ohio Magazine, include: Burr Oak State Park: The nearest village is four miles away and has a population of less than 2,000, so it produces little light pollution. Stonelick State Park: The night skies here are some of the darkest in Ohio, according to the magazine, and it's a common destination for Cincinnati-area stargazers. Wayne National Forest: Per the magazine, the isolated Lamping Homestead Recreation Area is arguably the darkest site in Ohio's only national forest. Perseid meteor shower 2025: Here's when activity peaks This year, the Perseids are expected to peak Aug. 12-13. Though the Geminids in December are considered to be one of the strongest and most consistent meteor showers, the Perseids still result in anywhere from 50 to 100 meteors visible per hour under the right conditions. What's more, the Perseid meteor shower gained its reputation for the plentiful whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs it reliably produces each year pretty much around the globe. These large explosions of light and color can persist even longer than an average meteor streak, NASA says. Could the moon interfere with Perseids? Tips for seeing streaking meteors Unfortunately, the Perseid meteor shower is peaking three days after a full moon in 2025. For that reason, a bright waning gibbous moon could outshine the fainter of the streaking meteors and make them more difficult to spot. But for those determined to catch a few of them, NASA has these viewing tips to increase your odds: Find an area distant from city light pollution or street lights. Bring a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. The website TimeandDate also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon. What causes the Perseids? Are meteor showers 'shooting stars?' Originating from the constellation Perseus, the Perseids are made up of leftover particles from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Every year, Earth passes through the comet's debris trail, resulting in the Perseid meteor shower when the broken bits of Swift-Tuttle disintegrate in our atmosphere at high speed, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky known colloquially as "shooting stars," according to NASA. Swift-Tuttle, which takes 133 Earth years to orbit the sun just once, was discovered to be the source of the Perseids in 1865 by Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli. Discovered in 1862, Swift-Tuttle is gargantuan — twice the size of the asteroid theorized to have wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. When was the last meteor shower? Eta Aquarids ended in May The string of summer meteor showers are the first in nearly two months since the Eta Aquarids came to an end May 28. The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, peaked between May 5 and May 6 as Earth passed through the densest part of the cosmic debris from the famous Halley's Comet. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Perseid meteor shower tops summer 'shooting stars.' How to watch in Ohio Solve the daily Crossword
