Double Meteor Showers Will Light Up the Sky This Weekend—How to See Them
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Warm summer nights make it all too easy to head outdoors after sundown and take in the wonders of the night sky. But besides unique moon phases and brilliantly bright appearances by the other planets in our solar system, meteor showers present some of the most exciting viewing opportunities that don’t even require a telescope . The right conditions can make even just one set of shooting stars a memorably great event. But this weekend, double meteor showers will overlap and light up the night sky. Read on for more on how you can see them for yourself.
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If you’re looking for an excuse to get outdoors over the next few nights, you’re in luck: The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower is currently underway, according to NASA. Even though its “shooting stars” are expected to be visible up until Aug. 21, the natural phenomenon is likely to hit its peak starting on the evening of July 29 through July 31.
Scientists believe the annual meteor shower is created by the remnants of comet 96P/Machholz, which was discovered in 1986 and orbits our planet every five years. Viewers can expect to see upwards of 20 meteors per hour at its most active, per NASA.
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But while the Southern Delta Aquariids are reaching their climax, another anticipated astronomical event is also underway. The Perseids—described as the “best meteor shower of the year” by NASA—will also be visible over the weekend as they continue to build towards their peak on Aug. 13.
The annual event has become a must-see for amateur astronomers thanks to the brilliance of the meteors it creates. Viewers can expect to see a combination of long, colorful “wakes” shooting across the sky and fireballs that create “explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak,” according to NASA.
The Perseids are also the result of Earth passing through the dust trail remnants of a comet. In this case, it’s comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which takes 133 years to complete a trip around the sun and last came through the inner solar system in 1992. According to NASA, the relatively large object is about 16 miles wide, or roughly twice the size of the meteor that is believed to have wiped out dinosaurs.
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The overlapping of the two events means that this weekend could be one of the most ideal for stargazing of the entire summer. But if you want to get a good view, you might want to consider changing your sleep schedule.
According to Earth Sky, both meteor showers get a late start for peak viewing. The Southern Delta Aquariids reach their highest point in the sky in the early morning hours after midnight around 2 a.m., according to EarthSky. As their name suggests, those in the southern parts of the Northern Hemisphere will be up for the best conditions. The “radiant” origin point for many of the meteors is located near the third brightest star in the constellation Aquarius, known as Delta.
The Perseids also become visible around midnight , growing more active as dawn approaches, per EarthSky. The meteor shower also gets its name from its radiant, which is the constellation Perseus. However, anyone staying up late to watch can expect to see a combination of the two shooting across the sky.
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If local weather conditions cooperate, you’ll likely have to do a little more than just get outside to catch the best views of the overlapping meteor showers. Despite reaching their peak, the Southern Delta Aquariids produce relatively faint “shooting stars” that requires as little light interference as possible, per NASA. That means it’s ideal to get away from any city lights and set up in an area that’s as dark as possible.
Once you’ve picked the right spot, you’ll also need some time for your eyes to adjust. According to NASA, this means giving yourself 30 minutes to acclimate to the dark—which includes avoiding looking at your phone’s bright screen.
Fortunately, warmer summer weather makes it easier to get comfortable outdoors for long meteor viewing sessions. But you’ll still want to make sure you dress to stay warm when temperatures drop overnight. It’s also best to bring a reclining chair or blanket that will allow you to lie back and take in as much of the night sky as possible.
- Source: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/meteors-and-meteorites/delta-aquariids/in-depth/
- Source: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/meteors-and-meteorites/perseids/in-depth/
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
