Alpha Capricornids have lower rates but brighter fireballs
Best viewing conditions in Southern Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere viewers can also catch a glimpse with clear southern horizon view
Both showers will overlap creating an exciting display for stargazers
Peak rates expected around July 31
Southern Delta Aquariids have fast-moving meteors traveling up to 25 miles per second
Two meteor showers, Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, peak next week
Get ready for a spectacular celestial event as two meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, peak next week. The double shower will light up the night sky with a high number of meteors per hour.
The Southern Delta Aquariids are known for their fast-moving meteors that travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per second or 90,000 miles per hour. The comet of origin for this shower is not certain but it is suspected to be 96P/Machholz, which was discovered in 1986 by amateur astronomer Donald Machholz.
The Alpha Capricornids are a weaker shower with a significantly lower rate but brighter fireballs. They peak from July 30 to July 31 and occasionally produce unusually bright meteors known as fireballs.
Both showers will overlap, creating an exciting display for stargazers. The best viewing conditions are in the Southern Hemisphere where the radiant will be directly above observers' heads. Northern Hemisphere viewers can also catch a glimpse with a clear view of the southern horizon.
The peak rates for these showers are expected to occur around July 31, making it an ideal time for those interested in astronomy to witness this rare event.
For optimal viewing, find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Remember that meteor showers can be affected by weather conditions, so check the forecast before planning your observation.
The Southern Delta Aquariids move quickly at speeds of up to 25 miles per second or 90,000 miles per hour.
The comet of origin for the Southern Delta Aquariids is not certain but it is suspected to be 96P/Machholz, which was discovered in 1986 by amateur astronomer Donald Machholz.
On the peak of the shower, around 15 to 20 meteors per hour could be visible from Earth in dark conditions.
Lucky observers may get to see a particularly spectacular meteor during the Alpha Capricornids shower as they occasionally produce unusually bright meteors known as fireballs.
Accuracy
The Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower peaks around July 29 to 30, but it is visible from late July through early August.
Southern Delta Aquariids are dust from comet 96P/Machholz and active for around six weeks, reaching peak on July 31.
The peak of the Southern Delta Aquariids may be difficult to distinguish and instead, it rambles along steadily from late July through early August.
Southern Delta Aquariids produce both faint and bright meteors, with enhanced rates observed in some years.
Southern Delta Aquariids occur when Earth passes through a trail of debris left by a comet, leading some of the rocks and dust to get plunged into our planet’s atmosphere.
Most meteors burn up before they reach the ground, creating streaks of light in the process.
Two meteor showers, Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids, will peak on July 30, 2023.
Southern Delta Aquarids is a strong shower active from July 18 to August 21 with high rates from July 29 to 30.
Alpha Capricornids is a weaker shower occurring from July 7 to August 15, peaking on July 30-31. Both showers will overlap and create a super-charged rate for stargazers.
The best viewing conditions are in the Southern Hemisphere where the radiant will be directly above observers' heads. Northern Hemisphere viewers can also catch a glimpse with a clear view of the southern horizon.
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