We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The month of July will be framed by sparkling displays in the night skies: one commercial, the other natural. Many people enjoyed fireworks shows over the Fourth, and coming on July 30, two annual meteor showers will take place simultaneously, adding another dazzling exhibition.
At month’s end, the alpha Capricornids and the delta Aquarids will be at peak activity, providing a spectacle of shooting stars. This rare occurrence will give stargazers a unique opportunity to witness an impressive number of meteors streaking across the sky.
Meteorologists suggest that those interested in viewing the cosmic event find a dark spot away from city lights. They further advise that the ideal time for observing these showers is after midnight. To get the best view, stargazers should focus towards the southeast region of the sky, where the constellation Aquarius resides. Because Aquarius can be difficult to locate, viewers will know they are gazing in the correct direction if they find the constellations Capricorn, Aquila, or Pisces, which surround Aquarius and are easier to spot.
According to the American Meteor Society, founded in 1911, the Southern delta Aquariids will next peak on the night of July 29-30, when the moon will be 30% full. The star-studded night begins with the Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower, the grander of the two showers. The Aquariids are believed to be remnants of the comet 96P Machholz. At the shower’s peak, one could witness up to 25 shooting stars each hour, provided the sky is clear. However, north of the equator, the radiant is located lower in the southern sky; therefore, rates are less than those seen from further south. These showers are best observed from the southern tropics and will continue activity until August 21.
The alpha Capricornids, on the other hand, will peak on Wednesday, July 31. The parent object, Comet 169P/NEAT is categorized as a Jupiter-family comet because its orbit is controlled by Jupiter’s gravitational effects. This shower is not very strong and rarely produces in excess of five shower members per hour. What is notable about this shower is the number of bright fireballs produced during its activity period. This shower is seen equally well on either side of the equator and will remain active until Thursday, August 15.
While it might be somewhat tricky to differentiate which shooting star belongs to which constellation, the meteors will radiate from different celestial figures, such as Orion, Perseus, and Gemini, creating an enchanting mix of lights in the sky.
