Latest news with #DeltaAquariids
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Science
- Forbes
Two Meteor Showers Begin This Week — How To See Summer's ‘Shooting Stars'
After a few months without any notable meteor showers, two get underway this week. The Perseid and Delta Aquariid meteor showers begin on Thursday, July 17 and Friday, July 18, respectively, with dozens of shooting stars possible when they peak later this month and in August. A Delta Aquariid meteor is appearing over the Buddha statue in Kantale, Sri Lanka, on July 4, 2024. ... More (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images The best-known and most popular annual meteor shower, the Perseids are active from July 17 through Aug. 23, peaking overnight on Aug 12-13. Active between July 18 and Aug. 12, the Southern delta Aquariids will peak overnight on July 28-29, just hours after a close conjunction between a crescent moon and Mars in the post-sunset night sky. Although there is a peak night when about 25 shooting stars per hour is expected, the Southern delta Aquariids have a broad peak, so heightened rates can be seen for three or four nights on either side of the peak night, according to the American Meteor Society. Southern delta Aquariids are known to be faint. The alpha Capricornids meteor shower is also currently live, having begun on July 12. It's a minor meteor shower with only about five shooting stars per hour during its peak night on July 29-30, though bright "fireballs" are common. About 50-75 meteors can be seen on the peak night of the Perseids, though in 2025 that will be reduced by about 75%, according to the American Meteor Society. A full moon on Aug. 9 means there will be a lot of moonlight in the night sky during the peak of the Perseids, making it advisable to view them in either late July or mid-August, when skies will be darker (and rates much lower). How Meteor Showers Are Named Meteor showers are named after the constellation or star they appear to emanate from. Astronomers call this the radiant point. If you see a shooting star and trace its trajectory back to the northeastern night sky, it 's likely a Perseid because that's where the constellation Perseus is found after dark during August, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern delta Aquariids get their name from the constellation Aquarius and the alpha Capricornids from the constellation Capricorn, which are both low in the southern sky after midnight. According to NASA, the best way to watch a meteor shower is to get out of the city to the darkest location you can, such as a Dark Sky Place. However, it's wise to check the weather forecast in advance because a clear sky is imperative. Observe somewhere with a clear view of as much of the night sky as possible, with extra layers to keep warm, as well as bug spray, snacks and drinks. Be patient, take a break every 30 minutes and avoid looking at a smartphone whose white light will kill your night vision. Further Reading Forbes NASA Spacecraft 'Touches Sun' For Final Time In Defining Moment For Humankind By Jamie Carter 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
3 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
See ‘Shooting Stars' Tonight As Two Meteor Showers Begin — Where To Look
A Delta Aquariid meteor is appearing over the Buddha statue in Kantale, Sri Lanka, on July 4, 2024. ... More (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The first meteors from two overlapping showers — the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids — will begin streaking across the sky this Sunday night, July 13, kicking off summer's meteor season. While their peak nights won't arrive until July 30, these twin displays will slowly build throughout the second half of July, making Sunday the first real chance to catch a shooting star after dark this summer since the Bootids meteor shower in late June. Where And When To Look For the best chance to see meteors, head outside after midnight and find a dark spot far from city lights. The meteors can appear anywhere. Both showers have their radiant points — where the meteors appear to come from in the night sky — in constellations (Aquarius and Capricorn) low in the south as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. That means that more meteors will likely be seen from the Southern Hemisphere and lower northern latitudes. However, both the Delta Aquarids and the Alpha Capricornids will still be visible from most of the U.S. and Europe under clear, dark skies. Since there was a full moon a few nights ago, lingering moonlight will make it tricky to see shooting stars — so it's wise to wait until later in the week when the moon wanes and skies darken. What You'll See The Delta Aquariids are known for producing faint, medium-speed meteors that tend to leave persistent trails. They're steady rather than dramatic, with typical rates of 10-20 meteors per hour during peak. The Alpha Capricornids are even slower, with fewer meteors per hour, but they often produce bright fireballs — sudden, brilliant bursts that can be surprisingly vivid. They won't 'light up the night sky,' as many who've never been stargazing like to write, but they will provide an excellent add-on to late-night stargazing. Observing Tips No special equipment is needed — just patience and a dark, open and clear sky. Look up and let your eyes adjust to the darkness for at least 20 minutes before forming any opinion on whether it's worth continuing. Meteors can appear in any part of the sky, so a reclining chair or blanket can help you scan a wide area comfortably. What's Next in the Night Sky These twin showers reach their peak on July 30, blending into the early activity of the more famous Perseid meteor showers, which appear later in July. The peak of the Perseids on Aug. 11-12 will be marred by a full moon, meaning the Delta Aquarid and the Alpha Capricornid meteor showers are likely to be summer's most meaningful. For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Science
- Western Telegraph
How to see the Delta Aquariid meteor shower in Wales
In 2025, the annual Delta Aquariid meteor shower will be active from July 12 to August 23. The peak of the meteor shower will be towards the end of July. Here is all you need to know about the Delta Aquariid meteor shower and how to view it in the UK. What is the Delta Aquariid meteor shower? As explained by the National Space Centre (NSC) website, meteor showers are when the Earth passes through the debris of a comet. "The dust and gas left behind by the comet burn up in the atmosphere causing a shooting star." The Delta Aquariids mark the start of the summer meteor season in the Northern Hemisphere, and this year will begin on July 12 and last until August 23. It is one of two meteor showers that converge in the summer, alongside the more famous Perseids. The Delta Aquariids get their name from the constellation in the night sky that they appear to radiate from - the constellation of Aquarius, near the bright star Delta Aquarii. Must-See Sky Events in 2025 On the meteor shower's origin, Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) says: "It was thought that the meteor shower originated from the breakup of the Marsden and Kracht sungrazing comets – comets that get within about 850,000 miles of the Sun at their closest approach. "Recently, however, another sungrazing comet called Comet 96P/Machholz has been identified as the likely source of the meteor shower. "Discovered in 1986 by Donald Machholz, the comet has an estimated diameter of four miles (6.4 kilometres) and takes just over five years to complete one orbit around the Sun. "As the comet gets heated by the Sun, ice in the comet vaporises and loosens small bits of rock and dust, which form the stream of debris that produces the Delta Aquariids meteor shower." How to view the Delta Aquariid meteor shower in the UK Despite the Delta Aquariid meteor shower being more visible in the southern hemisphere, those in the northern hemisphere will still be able to catch a glimpse. Timelapse of the Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower — Lucid Dream (@WeDontEnd) April 4, 2023 NSC says to face towards the south-east, with the meteors appearing to originate from near the star Delta Aquarii in the constellation Aquarius. However, the meteors can appear all over the sky, and as RMG explains, meteors will appear longer the further away from the radiant you look. The meteor shower can be best viewed just after midnight, with RMG predicting a "steady stream of meteors" expected over several days. While the shower doesn't have a noticeable peak, it's expected that it will reach its maximum rate on July 30. Tips on how to best view the Delta Aquariid meteor shower The Royal Museums Greenwich has provided its tips on viewing the meteor shower. Its website says to ensure to check the weather forecast ahead of time, and if the forecast isn't favourable, find a different location to observe from or view the meteor shower on another day. Tips for Night Sky Photos on Your Phone It adds that in 2025, the Delta Aquariid meteor shower's maximum occurs six days after New Moon, so observing conditions are "reasonably favourable". Top tips on viewing the shower include: Make sure that you are in a dark sky area and have an unobstructed view towards the south Lie down on a blanket or sit in a lawn chair to ensure that you have a wide view of the sky Your naked eye is the best instrument to use to see meteors – don't use binoculars or a telescope as these have narrow fields of view Allow your eyes to adapt to the dark and don't look at any lights, or at your phone, to maintain your dark adaptation The Go Stargazing website has some of the publicly accessible dark sky sites in the UK. Recommended reading: It reminds those who are going stargazing to take appropriate clothing and refreshments. It also says to bring a red torch due to it not affecting dark-adapted eyes, but adds that the "simplest of stargazing sessions needs no equipment at all". Phone apps are also a good source of knowledge, and can teach and provide a real-time view of the night sky.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Delta Aquariid meteor shower 2025: When is it? How can I see it?
Calling all stargazers and space fans!You may want to look to the skies over the next few weeks because the Delta Aquariid meteor shower is just around the 2025, they will be visible from 12 July until 23 August, with the peak of the shower taking place in the UK on Wednesday 30 reading to find out everything you need to know about the Delta Aquariids and how best to see it. What is the Delta Aquariid meteor shower? The Delta Aquariids meteor shower is named after the constellation Aquarius in the night sky and the bright star Delta Aquarii, which it appears to travel astronomers are not actually completely certain where the Delta Aquariids originated the shower was thought to have come about from the breakup of the Marsden and Kracht experts now think it's more likely to be from comet 96P/ that comet moves closer to the Sun and gets heated up, ice in the comet vaporises and loosens small bits of rock and dust which go on to form the are small space rocks ranging from the size of a grain of sand to a they enter the Earth's atmosphere they burn up, producing a bright streak of light. When can I see this year's Delta Aquariids? The Delta Aquariids are active from the middle of July every year, with the best night for viewing 2025's meteor shower expected to fall on Wednesday 30 according to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the shower may be visible any time between 12 July and 23 with the right conditions should be able to see a steady stream of up to 25 meteors an hour at its peak, which is expected to take place between midnight and dawn. What is the best way to see it? The shooting stars will be visible to the naked eye so no special equipment is your eyes will need to adjust to the darkness in order for you to view the meteors more recommend that you step outside and look up at the sky 20 minutes before the shower is due to take place, so your eyes can adjust to the night possible it is better to go away from urban areas where the light pollution from buildings, car headlights, street lamps and neon signs can cause too much up warm and bring a chair and some thick blankets so you can sit or lie down and look up for long periods without getting neck strain, or getting too luck, stargazers!
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How to watch the Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids meteor showers this July
The Fourth of July came and went, but that doesn't mean holiday fireworks are the only explosions in the sky this month. July will give stargazers two opportunities to check out meteor showers. Here's what to know if you plan on tuning in. Both the Southern Delta Aquariids – stemming from the constellation Aquarius – and the Alpha Capricornids – stemming from the constellation Capricorn – will appear in the night sky this month, according to the American Meteor Society. The Delta Aquariids produce medium-speed meteors that are faint, while the Alpha Capricornids produce slow-moving bright meteors. The Aquariids will be the grander of the two showers and is believed to be remnants of the comet 96P Machholz. During the shower's peak, viewers could witness 15 to 20 shooting stars each hour. The Capricornids, stemming from the periodic comet 169P/NEAT, will show viewers five shooting stars per hour, according to ICYMI: July's buck moon is coming soon. When to see next full moon, how it got its name The Delta Aquariids meteor shower is active from July 18 to Aug. 12, peaking from July 29 to July 30. They are best seen from the southern tropics. This year's waxing crescent moon setting before the radiant is high in the sky means viewing conditions will be most favorable during the morning hours. The Alpha Capricornids meteor shower is active from July 12 to Aug. 12, peaking from July 29 to July 30. The Capricornids will provide good viewing experiences on either side of the equator and are best viewed during the evening and early at night. The best spot for viewing is a dark area away from city lights with a clear view of the sky. If it's a high-altitude location, that's even better. Make sure you arrive about half an hour before the showers begin to give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. This allows you to better see fainter meteors, according to Alongside this double spectacle, viewers may also see early activity from the Perseids meteor shower. National spotlight: 'Good Morning America' meteorologist spotlights Delaware lifeguards during July 4 visit Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin atkgriffin@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: July meteor showers, Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids, peaking soon
