Updated

Updated · National Geographic · Jun 25

2 July Meteor Showers Peak July 30-31 as Moonlight Cuts Visibility to 20 Meteors an Hour

Updated

Updated · National Geographic · Jun 25

2 July Meteor Showers Peak July 30-31 as Moonlight Cuts Visibility to 20 Meteors an Hour

Q: A meteor shower will be washed out by moonlight, so why are astronomers calling it a must-see event?

Astronomers are calling it a must-see because the Alpha Capricornids can still put on a striking show even in bright moonlight. The problem with the July 30-31 sky is the waning gibbous moon, which will wash out many faint meteors, especially from the Southern Delta Aquariids. But the Alpha Capricornids are different: they are famous for producing unusually bright fireballs, or bolides, that can cut through moonlight. These meteors are fewer in number, typically around five per hour, but they are valued for quality rather than quantity. Experts note that Alpha Capricornid meteors can leave persistent, colorful trails lasting several seconds and may even fragment, making them more dramatic than a typical faint streak. That is why astronomers still regard the shower as worth watching despite poor moon conditions. The Southern Delta Aquariids may also remain interesting because this shower has occasionally produced stronger-than-expected bursts with a higher share of bright meteors. Historical observations have shown that even under bright moonlight, the shower can sometimes outperform forecasts. For the best chance of seeing either shower, observers should watch in the predawn hours, let their eyes adjust to the dark, and look away from the moon. Using a tree, building, or other object to block direct moonlight can also help. In short, moonlight will reduce the total count, but it is less likely to erase the brightest and most memorable meteors.

1 articles · Updated · National Geographic · Jun 25

July 30-31 brings the peak of both the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, giving stargazers simultaneous predawn meteor activity before the Perseids arrive in August.
Up to 20 meteors an hour are possible from the Southern Delta Aquariids under dark, moonless skies, but this year a bright waning gibbous moon will wash out all but the brightest streaks.
About 5 meteors an hour are expected from the Alpha Capricornids, though the shower is prized for bright fireballs that can still punch through moonlight in both hemispheres.
July also features a July 14 new moon for Milky Way viewing, several moon-planet pairings, and Comet 10P growing brighter toward an early-August peak.

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National Geographic4d ago

Southern Delta Aquariid, Alpha Capricornids Meteor Showers Peak July 30-31

A meteor shower will be washed out by moonlight, so why are astronomers calling it a must-see event?

As satellite swarms grow, will future stargazing guides need to warn us about more than just moonlight?

Why does the moon illusion trick our brains, a mystery that even baffles astronauts in space?

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1 total

National Geographic4d ago

Southern Delta Aquariid, Alpha Capricornids Meteor Showers Peak July 30-31

2 July Meteor Showers Peak July 30-31 as Moonlight Cuts Visibility to 20 Meteors an Hour

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