Sky lovers, this month an extraordinary astronomical event is taking place. On the evening of July 30not one, but two meteor showers will light up the night sky at the same time: the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha CapricornidsThis rare phenomenon offers enthusiasts the chance to see an impressive number of meteors streaking across the sky.
Because there may be some misunderstandings, it is important that we clarify the terms: meteoroids, meteors and meteorites. Meteoroids are small rocks that travel through space at high speed. When they enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they are called meteors, and when a fragment reaches the surface, it is called a meteorite. Meteors usually come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter or from comets shedding material as they approach the Sun, creating something colloquially called a “star shower” as they cross Earth’s path.
The night begins with the Delta Aquarids meteor shower, which is associated with the comet 96P Machholz. At its peak, you can see up to 25 shooting stars per hour. For a better view, you should look towards the southeastern part of the sky, where the constellation Aquarius is located. Although it can be difficult to find, you can look for the neighboring constellations Capricornus, Aquila, or Pisces to orient yourself. On the same night, the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower will add about 5 shooting stars per hour to the show.
To enjoy this unique event, we recommend that you: a dark place far away from the city lightsallowing you to fully appreciate the nighttime spectacle. The event will be more visible in the Southern Hemisphere, although it can also be observed from southern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. However, it can be difficult to know which shooting star belongs to which constellation, since the meteors will come from various celestial bodies, such as Orion, Perseus and Geminicreating a beautiful mix of lights in the sky.