Don’t Miss the Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower Light Up the Night Sky

The Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower, peaking on July 28, offers a more subdued spectacle compared to the brighter Perseids.

Ideal for viewers in the Southern Hemisphere, the shower is best observed in the darkest skies, with potential sightings of 2-5 meteors per hour. These meteors, thought to originate from Comet 96P/Machholz, are distinguishable by their radiant in the constellation of Aquarius.

Summer Meteor Showers
Most casual skywatchers know the bright, busy Perseids meteor shower arrives in late July and peaks in mid-August. Fewer are likely to name-drop the Southern delta Aquariids, which overlap with the Perseids each summer and are typically outshone by their brighter counterparts, especially when the Moon washes out the Southern delta Aquariids.

This year, with the Southern Delta Aquariids set to peak on the night of July 28, the underdog shower isn’t likely to deliver any surprises. Unless you’re below the equator, it’ll take a keen eye to spot one.