Latest news with #Southern Hemisphere
New York Times
a day ago
- Science
- New York Times
Watch Twin Meteor Showers Reach Their Simultaneous Peak in Summer Skies
Our universe might be chock-full of cosmic wonder, but you can observe only a fraction of astronomical phenomena with your naked eye. Meteor showers, natural fireworks that streak brightly across the night sky, are one of them. The latest observable meteor showers travel in tandem. One, the Southern Delta Aquarids, has been active since July 18. The other, the Alpha Capricornids, got going on July 12. Both will reach their peak on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, or July 29-30. Each shower peters out around Aug. 12. The Southern Delta Aquarids, best seen in the Southern Hemisphere in the constellation Aquarius, while the Alpha Capricornids are visible from both hemispheres in Capricorn. With the moon around 27 percent full, viewing opportunities could be favorable. But the Southern Delta Aquarids, sometimes spelled Aquariids, tend to be faint, and the Alpha Capricornids rarely create more than five meteors an hour. A third meteor shower, the Perseids is also active. It is arguably the best sky show of the summer but doesn't achieve peak activity until Aug. 12-13. To get a hint at when to watch, you can use a meter that relies on data from the Global Meteor Network showing when real-time fireball activity levels increase in the coming days. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
ABC News
a day ago
- Science
- ABC News
Two cosmic events will bring spectacular display
Two massive cosmic events will converge over Australian skies - to put on a spectacular display of fireballs dancing across the cosmos over the next few days. This is because two meteor showers are peaking at the same time.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Everyone's talking about the Perseid meteor shower – but don't bother trying to see it in Australia or NZ
In recent days, you may have seen articles claiming the 'best meteor shower of the year' is about to start. Unfortunately, the hype is overblown – particularly for observers in Australia and New Zealand. The shower in question is the Perseids, one of the 'big three' – the strongest annual meteor showers. Peaking in the middle of the northern summer, the Perseids are an annual highlight for observers in the northern hemisphere. As a result, every year social media around the world runs rife with stories about how we can enjoy the show. For an astronomer in Australia, this is endlessly frustrating – the Perseids are impossible to see for the great majority of Australians and Kiwis. Fortunately, there are a few other meteor showers to fill the void, including a pair that will reach their peak in the next seven days. What are the Perseids? Every year, Earth runs into a stream of debris laid down over thousands of years by comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. The comet swings around the Sun every 133 years or so, shedding dust and debris each time. Over the millenia, that material has spread to create a vast stream. Earth starts to run into debris from Swift–Tuttle in mid-July, and takes six weeks to pass through the stream. When the dust and debris hit Earth's atmosphere, the resulting meteors create bright streaks in the sky – a meteor shower. For most of that time, the dust we encounter is very widely spread, and so few meteors are seen. Around August 12, Earth reaches the densest part of the Perseid stream and the shower reaches its peak. The Perseids aren't even the 'best' meteor shower Comet Swift–Tuttle last passed through the inner Solar System in 1992. With the comet nearby, Earth encountered more dust and debris, making the Perseids the best meteor shower of the year. In the decades since, the comet has receded to the icy depths of the Solar System, and the peak rates for the Perseids have fallen off. The 'best' (most abundant) meteor shower of the year is now the Geminids. However, for people in the northern hemisphere, the Perseids are still well worth looking out for. The curse of the spherical Earth All meteor showers have a 'radiant"– the point at which meteors seem to originate in the sky. This is because, for a given shower, all the debris hitting Earth comes from the same direction in space. The debris from comet Swift–Tuttle crashes towards Earth from above the north pole, and at an angle. As a result, for people at a latitude of 58 degrees north, the Perseid radiant would be directly overhead in the early hours of the morning. If a meteor shower's radiant is below the horizon, you won't see any meteors – Earth is in the way, and all the dust and debris is hitting the other side of the planet. It's exactly the same reason you can't see the Sun at nighttime. Given the location of the Perseid radiant, it will never rise for observers south of 32 degrees. This means anyone below that line will never see any Perseids. In theory, anyone north of 32 degrees south latitude can see the Perseids – but there are other complications. The higher a shower's radiant is in the sky, the more meteors you will see. This is why the Perseids can't put on a great show for people in Australia. Even in the far north of Australia, the Perseid radiant remains low in the sky at its highest. For most Australians, the Perseids will be a spectacular disappointment. Look for these meteor showers instead If you're keen to see a meteor shower from Australia or New Zealand, it's best to cross the Perseids off your list. Fortunately, there are other options. Every May, Earth passes through debris left behind by comet 1P/Halley, creating the Eta Aquariid meteor shower – only visible in the hours before dawn. For Australian observers, that's the second best shower of the year. At the end of July each year, two minor meteor showers reach their peaks: the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids. This year, they peak on 29 and 30 July, with the best views coming in the hours around midnight. It's a perfect time to head out to a dark sky site and relax under the stars – the centre of the Milky Way is high overhead in the evening sky, and these two showers provide some added fireworks to make the sky extra special. Then, in December, comes the true "best shower of the year' – the Geminids. Reaching a peak on 14 and 15 December, the Geminids always put on a spectacular show. Unlike the Perseids, it can be seen from all across our island continent and in Aotearoa. If you really want to see a great meteor shower, skip the Perseids and plan to head somewhere dark this summer, to spend a couple of nights relaxing under the stars. This article is republished from The Conversation. It was written by: Jonti Horner, University of Southern Queensland Read more: Astronomers have spied an interstellar object zooming through the Solar System Astronomers have discovered another puzzling interstellar object − this third one is big, bright and fast After 50 successful years, the European Space Agency has some big challenges ahead Jonti Horner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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Travel + Leisure
19-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
You Can Now Kayak or Camp Solo in Antarctica Thanks to This Expedition Cruise's New Program
If you've ever dreamed of kayaking or camping in Antarctica, this might be your chance. HX Expeditions, the world's oldest cruise company, recently announced that they will launch the industry's most diverse kayaking and camping program in Antarctica, greatly expanding their existing capacity. From October 2025, HX Expeditions will increase their kayaking capacity by 188 percent and double their number of camping spots, enabling more visitors to experience Antarctica in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. There will also be opportunities for solo traveler access to camping and kayaking without a partner required. HX Expeditions is introducing new solo, inflatable 'Discovery Kayaks' for self-guided paddling with no language requirement, as well as new 'Bivvy Bags' for camping, which are lightweight, Scandinavia-sourced, and custom built. The activities on offer now will include two types of kayaking, two styles of camping, snowshoeing, a polar plunge, and extended hikes. 'With expanded kayaking and camping capacity, plus greater flexibility and access, we're opening the polar regions to more adventurers than ever before. It's about making these once-in-a-lifetime moments available to everyone on board, while delivering them in small, intimate and responsible groups,' Karin Strand, VP of Expeditions Development, said in a statement shared with T+L. 'Whether you're gliding past icebergs on your kayak or sleeping under the stars, we're here to help you write your own Antarctic story. And importantly, all experiences are designed in harmony with nature and in strict adherence to the environmental regulations that govern human activity in Antarctica.' HX Expeditions has over 20 years of experience programming Antarctic travel, and is a founding member of IAATO, a member organization that advocates for safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel in Antarctica. 'Experiencing Antarctica must come with responsibility,' Strand stated. 'Every step we take is guided by the principles of sustainable tourism. We work within the framework of IAATO guidelines to ensure our presence leaves no trace, minimising impact, respecting wildlife, and preserving the pristine beauty of the polar environment for generations to come.' All kayaking and camping bookings in the new 2025/2026 season will be managed in real-time by the Expedition Team onboard, allowing for flexibility based on guest preferences and weather. The bookings will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the previous lottery system in use has been discontinued. If activities get cancelled, the company will either reschedule or provide a full refund for that activity.
