Triple Meteor Showers Set to Brighten Night Sky Over Next Two Weeks

Sky watchers are preparing for a celestial trifecta: The small Southern delta Aquariids and alpha Capricornids will set the stage for the impressive Perseids, when up to 100 meteors will dive across the sky every hour.

Meteor showers occur because pieces of dust and rock are thrown from comets as they orbit the Sun at high speeds. When Earth passes through this debris channel, these small pieces of detritus enter our atmosphere and burn up, appearing as fiery lights across the sky.

In the case of Southern Delta AquariidsIt is not clear which comet is the source, but it is he believed to be 96P Machholz. The Southern delta Aquariids have actually been going on since July 18 and will peak on the night of July 29, according to the American Meteor Society. Unfortunately for us in the northern hemisphere, as the name suggests, Southern Delta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. Meteors are numerous, up to 20 visible per hour, but they are often faint and lack long trains or explosive fireballs. The presence of a bright Moon can also make them difficult to see. For those hoping to enjoy this show, look in the southern sky for the constellation Aquarius, which will appear to be the source, or glow, of meteors.

Since i Southern Delta Aquariids reach their peak and begin to decline, the Alpha Capricornids begin to appear. This shower will have its best night for visibility on July 30. Only about five meteors per hour are expected to be visible from this weak shower. What it lacks in numbers, it makes up for in spectacle, as many meteors produce bright fireballs. People in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres will have an equally good view of the shower. For the best view of the meteors, look towards the star: the star Alpha Capricorni in the constellation Capricornus (tip: use a skywatch app on your smartphone to find celestial objects).

The Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids are the warm-up act for the incoming boss. That's it The Perseids, one of the most famous meteor showers of the year, will peak on August 11 as Earth passes through the debris path of Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Up to 100 meteors per hour will streak across the sky. That night, the Moon will set around 1 a.m., resulting in dark skies and enhanced meteor sightings. The brightness of the Perseids is close to the constellation Perseus.

For all meteor showers, the best way to get a good view is to escape the light pollution of cities and find a nice, dark place. Lie on your back, let your eyes adjust to the dark, look up at the glow, and enjoy one of nature's most amazing—and free—shows.