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The Hill
19 minutes ago
- Science
- The Hill
Two meteor showers will peak simultaneously tonight: How and when to watch
(NEXSTAR) – July is once again exiting in style, treating stargazers to a meteor shower double-feature this week. The Southern Delta Aquariid and the Alpha Capricornid meteor showers will peak at the same time, in the early morning hours Wednesday. While perhaps not as stunning as the Perseids, which light up the sky in mid-August, often leaving long, sometimes-colorful 'wakes,' conditions will be good this week. The moon is waxing and only about a quarter full, so the meteors should appear bright, especially for stargazers outside of urban areas with lots of light pollution. With each shower expected to produce up to a dozen visible meteors per hour under dark skies, the doubleheader means the total number of meteors 'do add up,' said Thaddeus LaCoursiere, planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. 'Look for flashes of light in the night sky,' he said, adding that both are 'very nice classic meteor showers.' The Alpha Capricornids — produced by slower-moving meteors — may have tails that linger slightly longer in the sky, said Nick Moskovitz of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Viewing of each shower lasts through August 12. What is a meteor shower? Meteor showers, or events during which meteors can be seen radiating from a particular point in the sky, are often annual, predictable occurrences, according to the American Meteor Society (AMA). The showers themselves are usually named after the constellation in which they appear to come from. 'The showers occur when the Earth passes through a region having a greater than usual concentration of interplanetary debris, such as particles left by a disintegrating comet, at certain points in its orbit,' the AMA states on its website. 'Although the meteors enter the Earth's atmosphere on parallel trajectories, perspective makes it appear as if they originate from the same point in the sky, known as the radiant.' How to observe a meteor shower Want to see a meteor shower? Do everything you can to minimize light interference. Heading out of the city and away from street and other city lights is a good start. You may also want to pack some coffee and head out early – predawn hours when the moon is low are a great time to view meteors. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and keep looking up – resist the temptation to look down at your phone's bright screen.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Science
- Newsweek
How To Catch Two Meteor Showers Lighting Up US Skies This Week
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The night sky is gearing up for a double bill of celestial spectacles this week. Skywatchers in the United States are in for a treat as two distinct meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids, are both set to reach their peak in late July, promising a double feature of "shooting stars." What Are Meteor Showers? Several times each year, as the Earth journeys around the sun, our planet crosses paths with streams of debris left behind by comets (and occasionally those from asteroids.) When these fragments enter Earth's atmosphere, the friction of their passage generates intense heat, causing the debris to burn up. This process often makes the surrounding air glow momentarily, creating a fiery trail—what we commonly refer to as a "shooting star." Meteor showers happen when many "shooting stars" seem to originate from the same point in the sky. A meteor shower composite created from 44 individual photos that includes the Milky Way. A meteor shower composite created from 44 individual photos that includes the Milky Will The Meteor Showers Peak? The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids are distinct phenomena, originating from different cosmic sources. They are both set to reach peak activity in the early morning hours of July 30. Viewers will have a good chance to spot these celestial streaks, as moonlight interference is expected to be minimal; the moon will be only about a quarter full, making for brighter and clearer sightings in locations far removed from urban light pollution. For those eager to catch the show, Thaddeus LaCoursiere, planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota, told the Associated Press that with each shower potentially producing up to a dozen visible meteors per hour under dark conditions, their combined effect will certainly "add up." He describes both as "very nice classic meteor showers," encouraging enthusiasts to "look for flashes of light in the night sky." Observing these events doesn't require specialized astronomical equipment. The important thing is finding a location away from distracting city lights. The viewing window for both showers extends beyond their peak, remaining visible through August 12. How and Where to See the Meteor Showers To maximize your chances of witnessing this natural light show, timing and location are crucial. The optimal period for meteor shower viewing is typically in the predawn hours, when the moon is positioned low in the sky, minimizing its light. The primary challenges to a clear view are competing light sources, whether from a bright moon or artificial urban glow. Therefore, clear, cloudless nights offer the best opportunities. It's also vital to allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness—so avoid checking your phone or other light-emitting devices during your viewing session. Simply recline, gaze upward and be patient. The Alpha Capricornids, in particular, may offer a slightly more dramatic visual. Nick Moskovitz of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, told the AP that these meteors tend to move slower, which could result in tails that appear to linger in the sky for a bit longer. When Is The Next Meteor Shower? After these July spectacles, skywatchers can mark their calendars for the next significant event. The Perseid meteor shower, widely considered one of the most popular and reliable annual displays, is set to reach its maximum activity in mid-August. So, this week, remember to cast your gaze skyward in the early morning if you're in the US. It's a prime opportunity to witness the beauty of our solar system's cosmic debris. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about meteors? Let us know via science@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Watch two meteor showers at once: Best time to see the Delta Aquariids and Capricornids
The Brief The Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers will both peak early July 30. Each shower could produce around a dozen visible meteors per hour under dark skies. Viewing is expected to be ideal due to a dim, quarter-full moon and clear summer conditions. Stargazers are in for a treat as two meteor showers will peak at the same time before dawn on July 30, creating a rare summer sky double feature. The Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers are expected to produce a combined total of up to two dozen visible meteors per hour in areas with dark skies and minimal light pollution. Because the moon will be just a quarter full, its light shouldn't interfere much with visibility. "Look for flashes of light in the night sky," said Thaddeus LaCoursiere, planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. He described both showers as "very nice classic meteor showers." What is a meteor shower? The backstory Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris trails left by comets—tiny fragments of dust and rock that burn up upon entering our atmosphere. The Southern Delta Aquariids come from the comet 96P/Machholz. The Alpha Capricornids originate from comet 169P/NEAT. As the fragments hit the Earth's atmosphere at high speed, the friction causes them to heat up and glow, sometimes producing streaks known as "shooting stars." What we know Both meteor showers are already active and will remain visible through August 12, with the early morning of July 30 expected to offer the best viewing. The Alpha Capricornids tend to feature slower meteors that leave lingering tails, according to Nick Moskovitz of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. No special equipment is needed—just find a dark, clear location and look up. What we don't know Exact meteor counts can vary depending on conditions. Cloud cover, haze, and local light pollution may reduce visibility. It's also uncertain how widespread the viewing conditions will be across the U.S. on July 30, depending on regional weather forecasts. What you can do To see the meteor showers: Head outdoors in the early morning hours before dawn. Choose a spot away from city lights with an unobstructed view of the sky. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and avoid looking at your phone—it ruins your night vision. No binoculars or telescopes needed; wide views of the sky work best. What's next If you miss this week's peak, don't worry—the Perseids, one of the most anticipated meteor showers of the year, will peak in mid-August and often deliver much higher rates of visible meteors. The Source This article is based on reporting from the Associated Press and includes expert commentary from the Bell Museum and the Lowell Observatory. Meteor activity data comes from NASA and the International Meteor Organization. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
How to watch two meteor showers peak together in late July
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's almost time for summer's meteor shower duet. The Southern Delta Aquariid and the Alpha Capricornid meteor showers peak at the same time — in the early morning of July 30. Without too much interference from moonlight — the waxing moon will be only about a quarter full — the meteors should appear bright and clear in regions away from city lights. With each shower expected to produce up to a dozen visible meteors per hour under dark skies, the doubleheader means the total number of meteors 'do add up,' said Thaddeus LaCoursiere, planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. 'Look for flashes of light in the night sky,' he said, adding that both are 'very nice classic meteor showers.' The Alpha Capricornids — produced by slower-moving meteors — may have tails that linger slightly longer in the sky, said Nick Moskovitz of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Viewing of each shower lasts through August 12. What is a meteor shower? As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Delta Aquariids is debris from comet 96P/Machholz. The Alpha Capricornids stem from the comet 169P/NEAT. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a 'shooting star.' You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. How to view a meteor shower The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light — such as a bright moon or artificial glow — are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren't checking your phone. When is the next meteor shower? The next major meteor shower, the Perseids, peaks in mid August. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Solve the daily Crossword
4 days ago
- Science
How to watch two meteor showers peak together in late July
WASHINGTON -- It's almost time for summer's meteor shower duet. The Southern Delta Aquariid and the Alpha Capricornid meteor showers peak at the same time — in the early morning of July 30. Without too much interference from moonlight — the waxing moon will be only about a quarter full — the meteors should appear bright and clear in regions away from city lights. With each shower expected to produce up to a dozen visible meteors per hour under dark skies, the doubleheader means the total number of meteors 'do add up,' said Thaddeus LaCoursiere, planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. 'Look for flashes of light in the night sky,' he said, adding that both are 'very nice classic meteor showers.' The Alpha Capricornids — produced by slower-moving meteors — may have tails that linger slightly longer in the sky, said Nick Moskovitz of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Viewing of each shower lasts through August 12. As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Delta Aquariids is debris from comet 96P/Machholz. The Alpha Capricornids stem from the comet 169P/NEAT. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a 'shooting star.' You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light — such as a bright moon or artificial glow — are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren't checking your phone. The next major meteor shower, the Perseids, peaks in mid August. ___
