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
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).
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.