Meteor Showers: Double Delight in July with Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids - Technology

Double Meteor Showers to Light Up the Night Sky in July

Fireworks may be over , but there 's another reason to point your eyes to the sky this July ! Between the radiant Buck Moon and the spectacular Northern Lights , the cosmos have been extra active this month and show no sign of slowing down thanks to the Meteor showers in effect at the end of the month . The most exciting part ? Not one , but two meteor showers will peak at the same time in a rare celestial event . Sky - gazers hoping to make a wish upon a shooting star are in luck because one of the two meteor showers is infamously known for its faint display , so the second shower will provide an added opportunity to catch a glimpse.

The two meteor showers that will overlap at the end of July are the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids . While the length of their activity differs , their peak coincides just before August begins . Overlapping peaks will give stargazers a rare opportunity to spot double the amount of meteors whizzing across the night sky but of course , only if weather conditions cater to clear viewing.

Meteor showers can be spotted all over the night sky , so it does n't quite matter where you cast your eyes . However , there are a few tips to catch the best view of the display . Since the Delta Aquariids are known for their faint tails and dulled - fireball appearance , the American Meteor Society says looking at a section in the sky away from the moon will increase your chances of spotting them . The same goes for the Capricornids . The American Meteor Society notes that this shower is seen " equally well " on both sides of the equator.

 The Delta Aquariids are predicted to peak late night on July 29 through early morning on July 30 . The Capricornids are expected to reach max activity late night on July 30 into early morning on July 21 , 2024 . That means the double meteor shower is predicted to peak on July 30 , when both showers will overlap.

The shy Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks July 29 and 30 with South Florida given a prime seat to the show . A waning crescent moon will try to overpower the reserved spectacle , which can send 15 to 20 meteors through the sky per hour , so the best time to watch is late in the evening before the moon rises between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Active throughout the latter half of July , the Aquariids overlap with the more renowned Perseid meteor shower , which peaks near Aug. 12 and 13 . The early morning hours are the best times to view the Perseid shower.