(AP) – Get ready for a meteor shower doubleheader.
The southern Delta Aquarite meteor shower peaks in late July. This year, it will coincide with the second minor meteor shower, Alpha Capricornids.
Delta Aquarits occurs every year in late summer in North America. This year's peak activity occurs early Tuesday morning, when 15 to 20 meteors are visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere under dark skies. Visibility should be even better in the southern hemisphere. The shower is expected to last until August 21, according to the American Meteorological Society.
At the same time, the Alpha Capricornid meteor shower should produce five meteors per hour and last until August 15.
Here's what to know about Delta Aquarites and other meteor showers.
What is a meteor shower?
There are so many meteor showers every year that you don't need special equipment to see them.
Most meteor showers originate from the debris of comets. The source of the Delta Aquarids is thought to be from comet 96P/Machholz. Alpha Capricornids originates from comet 169P/NEAT.
When rocks from space enter the Earth's atmosphere, resistance from the air makes them very hot. This lights up the air around them and briefly leaves a fiery tail behind them – the end of a « shooting star ».
Pockets of glowing air surrounding fast-moving space rocks, ranging from the size of a dust particle to a boulder, are visible in the night sky.
Both of these meteor showers aren't very large, but Alpha Capricornids often produce very bright meteors, said University of Warwick astronomer Dan Polacco.
For skygazers, « one bright one is worth 20 dim ones, » he said.
How to watch a meteor shower
Meteors are usually seen between midnight and dawn.
Away from the city lights, it's easy to see shooting stars under dark skies. Meteor showers also appear brighter on cloudless nights when the moon is smaller.
If you're not checking your phone, your eyes are primed for shooting meteors. « It destroys your night vision, » said NASA's Bill Cook.
The Southern Hemisphere has the best view of Delta Aquarids. Clear viewing happens after midnight as the 30% full moon is waning.
When is the next meteor shower?
The Meteorological Society maintains an updated list of upcoming major meteor showers, including peak viewing days and lunar phases.
The next big meteor shower is the Perseids, which will peak in mid-August.
