Rare Double Meteor Shower of Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids To Peak Simultaneously in the Night Sky; Here's How To Watch Them

(Photo : Pixabay / Hans)

Two annual meteor showers will peak together by the end of the month.

This rare double meteor shower is something that stargazers would not want to miss out on.

Meteor Showers

While some people may witness blazing meteors in the night sky at any given night, meteor showers typically involve a higher number of such soaring space rocks.

Meteor showers are regular events that happen annually or at consistent intervals. They typically happen when the planet moves through a debris trail of a comet.

Based on estimates, roughly 48.5 tons of meteorite materials fall onto the planet every day. Almost all of them end up vaporized upon their atmospheric entry.

Rocks that stay in space are called meteoroids. They can be as tiny as dust grains and also be small asteroids.

When such meteoroids go into the Earth or any other planet's atmosphere at blazing speeds, they could end up burning into "shooting stars" or fireballs known as meteors.

If the space rock successfully survives its harsh atmospheric entry and crashes onto the surface of the planet, it would result in a meteorite.

ALSO READ: What Is a Meteor Shower? NASA Explains Why There Are Periodic Streams Every Year

Double Meteor Shower

The annual Delta Aquariids will begin on July 18 and stretch until August 21. The hourly rate of this meteor shower could hit as high as 15 to 20 meters in a dark sky without the Moon.

As for the Alpha Capricornids, it began on July 3 and will stretch until August 15. Its meteors could blaze at a speed of 23 kmph.

According to the Society for Popular Astronomy, the Delta Aquariids would have a medium speed rate, while the Alpha Capricornids would be slower.

Both the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids, which respectively come from the Aquarius and Capricorn constellations, will harmoniously peak with each other in the night sky on July 30.

The southern hemisphere and areas in the northern hemisphere that are nearer to the equator and far from urban lights are expected to have the best visibility.

How to Watch the Double Meteor Shower

To prepare themselves for the cosmic spectacle, stargazers should spend time in the darkness to adjust their eyes. They can spend around 30 minutes doing so.

Timing is also of utmost importance when it comes to watching meteor showers. Meteor activity usually peaks during the pre-dawn hours. This is when viewing conditions are best, and the sky is in its darkest state.

Moreover, the best vantage points for viewing can be found in locations of high altitude that are void of atmospheric pollution.

Watchers could set their eyes on various constellations, namely, the Orion, Gemini, Perseus, Capricorn, and Aquarius, in order to witness the cosmic light show. They may be able to see 25 to 30 rocks blazing through the night sky each hour.