Whereas meteor showers occur all yr, a rarer incidence is having two meteor showers that peak on the similar time. It’s going to occur this week, on Tuesday.
The capturing star present comes courtesy of the Alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids meteor showers. The previous is already occurring and runs till Aug. 12, with a peak on Tuesday. Southern delta Aquariids will begin on Monday, peaks early on Tuesday and runs till Aug. 12 as effectively. Meaning for one night, the 2 meteor showers are peaking on the similar time, giving stargazers a significantly better probability at catching a capturing star.
Of the 2, the Southern delta Aquarids is often the bigger meteor bathe, tossing upward of 25 meteors per hour throughout its zenith. Alpha Capricornids is a lesser meteor bathe, with about 5 per hour on common. Mixed, they will output an estimated 30 per hour.
See 2 meteor showers directly
For the reason that meteors are coming from two totally different factors within the sky, you’d assume recognizing meteors from each can be tough, however that’s removed from the reality.
Alpha Capricornids, which hails from the 169P/NEAT comet, originates from the Capricornus constellation. It can rise from the jap skies throughout the continental US round sundown and streak throughout the southern sky, setting within the western sky at dawn.
For the Southern delta Aquariids, its radiant — the purpose from which its meteors appear to originate — is the Aquarius constellation. Aquarius is true subsequent to Capricornus. Meaning it additionally rises out of the jap horizon, streaks throughout the southern sky, and units within the western horizon round daybreak.
In case you have bother discovering both of them, Stellarium’s free sky map will provide help to hunt them down. Set the time, date and site, and also you’re off to the races. As soon as you discover one, the opposite one is basically proper there subsequent to it.
Recommendations on watching meteor showers
As per the norm, the guidelines listed below are the identical as they’re for the aurora borealis and planet parades. Gentle air pollution and climate are your two greatest enemies. Since you possibly can solely do something about a type of, let’s deal with gentle air pollution. You will need to drive as distant from the town and suburbs as attainable, as the sunshine air pollution will make it tough to see the dimmer meteors. The farther away you might be, the higher, as even suburban gentle air pollution can obfuscate most meteors.
As soon as on the market, you simply have to sit down and wait. For the reason that constellations will transfer throughout the south as you watch, you’ll have to rotate your chair for those who’re on the market for some time. In any other case, a pair of binoculars could assist. Telescopes aren’t beneficial, as they obscure your area of view and should actively impede your means to see meteors.
