Two notable meteor showers, Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids, are set to peak in the night sky this week, offering viewers a chance to witness bright fireballs streaking across the sky.
The Alpha Capricornids, visible at 11 p.m. Tuesday, will produce bright meteors that may appear like shooting stars. While primarily seen in the Southern Hemisphere, enthusiasts from the Northern Hemisphere can view them by keeping their eyes low along the southern sky. In contrast, the Southern Delta Aquariids are expected to be more active, peaking at 1 a.m. Wednesday.
These meteor showers occur annually as Earth passes through debris fields left by Jupiter-family comets. The Alpha Capricornids shower is forecasted to become stronger in the future, potentially producing over 1,000 meteors per hour.
Viewers are encouraged to participate in counting and reporting their observations to contribute to astronomers’ understanding of meteors. While missing the peak might not be ideal, it’s not a critical factor, as activity will still be visible on nearby nights.
To optimize viewing, avoid areas with bright lights and opt for locations with higher altitudes, such as mountains or hills. The meteor showers will remain active until August 13, although there is some variation in the predicted peak times between organizations.
This week’s meteor shower event highlights the common occurrence of multiple meteor showers happening simultaneously, including the Perseids, which are not yet at their peak but may still be visible during this time.
Source: https://www.ksl.com/article/51352932/heres-how-to-see-this-weeks-double-meteor-shower