In late July, skywatchers will have the opportunity to witness a meteor shower doubleheader, as the Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid showers are set to peak around the same time. The Delta Aquariids, a regular occurrence in North America's late summer, are expected to produce 15 to 20 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere, with even better visibility in the Southern Hemisphere. The shower will last through August 21.
The Alpha Capricornids, a smaller meteor shower, should produce around five meteors per hour and will last through August 15. These meteor showers are not high volume, but the Alpha Capricornids are known for producing very bright meteors.
Meteor showers occur annually and originate from the debris of comets. The Delta Aquariids are thought to come from the comet 96P/Machholz, while the Alpha Capricornids originate from the comet 169P/NEAT. When rocks from space enter Earth's atmosphere, the air resistance causes them to heat up and leave a fiery tail behind them, creating the appearance of shooting stars.
For optimal viewing of meteor showers, it is recommended to be under dark skies away from city lights, preferably during cloudless nights with minimal moonlight. Viewing is typically best between midnight and the predawn hours. The next major meteor shower after these two events will be the Perseids, peaking in mid-August.
Skygazers are advised to stay away from their phones during meteor showers to preserve their night vision. The meteor society provides an updated list of upcoming meteor showers, including peak viewing days and moonlight conditions.
Overall, the upcoming meteor shower doubleheader presents a unique opportunity for skywatchers to witness the beauty of shooting stars in the night sky.