Late summer is always a boon for skywatchers because of the meteor showers that grace our skies. And, the Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower will be peaking in the next few days.
The Delta Aquarids begin appearing around July 12th and continue until August 23rd. But astronomy enthusiasts always prefer watching them when they peak, since that’s the time when more meteors blaze their trails in the sky. For the Delta Aquarids this year, they are expected to peak around July 28th to 29th.
The EarthSky website states that there will be minimal moonlight interference during the Delta Aquarids’ peak window. Optimal times to watch the meteor shower are after midnight and on through to the predawn hours. Expect to see 10 – 20 “shooting stars” per hour with the Delta Aquarids.
According to NASA, the Delta Aquarids are characterized by long tails. They tend to radiate from the star Delta Aquarii – or, the fourth brightest star, called Skat – in the Aquarius constellation, which explains their name. Scientific documentation reveals that the Delta Aquarid meteor shower has been observed as far back as the 1870s.
How are meteor showers created? As the Earth passes through a debris field left behind by a comet, the stream of dust particles light up via friction as they bombard our planet’s upper atmosphere. It is believed that the parent comet of the Delta Aquarids is the periodic Comet 96/P Macholtz, which was only discovered in 1986.
To plan for your viewing of the Delta Aquarids, find an open patch of sky, far from city lights. Bring a blanket to rest upon or a reclining chair, some bug spray to ward off pests, as well as some good company to share the experience with. Meteor shower watching is essentially a waiting game. But it’s sure to bring pleasure with the prospect of making summer wishes.
Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower Peaks July 28th – 29th
