Get ready for a spectacular double meteor shower featuring one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year, the Perseids! As the Perseids light up the sky in August, the Southern Delta Aquariids will also be active, creating a rare double meteor shower for viewers in the northern hemisphere to witness. While those in the southern hemisphere may have a bit more difficulty spotting the Perseids, the Southern Delta Aquariids will shine brightly in the southern skies. Here’s your guide to experiencing this breathtaking display.
How to Watch a Meteor Shower
For the best meteor viewing experience, find a location with a clear, dark sky away from artificial lights. Moonlight can diminish the visibility of meteors, so aim to observe when the moon is minimal or absent.
If you need light for navigation, opt for a red light over white light to preserve your night vision. Using red light eliminates the need for your eyes to readjust to darkness, enabling better meteor observations.
No special equipment is required; observing with the naked eye is optimal for catching a meteor shower. Telescopes and binoculars can restrict your field of view, making it harder to spot quick-moving meteors across the entire sky.
Meteor showers derive their names from their radiant, the point in the sky where meteors seem to originate. Look out for the radiant above the horizon, typically visible around midnight or later. Apps like Stellarium or SkyView can aid in locating the radiant for enhanced viewing.
The peak viewing time is when the radiant is at its highest elevation, but any time during the shower offers a delightful experience.
The Southern Delta Aquariids
Producing around 15-20 meteors per hour, the Southern Delta Aquariids may not be as luminous as the Perseids, but still promise a captivating spectacle.
This meteor shower is active from July 18 to August 21, showcasing a gradual increase in meteor sightings over the period. Consequently, viewers may catch some Southern Delta Aquariids during the height of the Perseid meteor shower in mid-August!
Moonlight won’t pose a hindrance in early August. Leading up to the peak Perseid night on August 11-12, the moon transitions from a thin crescent to a new moon and then a waxing crescent, offering ideal observing conditions with the moon setting before or shortly after midnight.