The Delta Aquarid meteor shower is peaking at the end of July, possibly providing skygazers their best chance, so far this year, to view shooting stars.
The intensity of meteor showers is difficult to predict, as many factors factor into how many shooting stars are seen. Each of the major annual storms has a natural average rate at which they fall, although that number can vary from year to year. Another aspect that affects viewing is the phase of the Moon. When our planetary companion is full and bright, it can make it difficult to see shooting stars, which are drowned out in the full moonlight.
This year, the Moon will be new on the night of 29 to 30 July, providing favorable dark skies for viewing of the meteor shower. However, the Delta Aquarids are one of the slower meteor showers of the year.
"Although this is considered a minor meteor shower with projected peak rates at 15-20 meteors/hour, the darker skies will help even faint meteors shine more brightly," NASA officials wrote in a press release.
Meteor showers are best observed without any special equipment, and are a perfect astronomical event for children to witness. To view the event, simply head outside, at night, to any area away from artificial light. Bring along comfortable folding chairs, and a cooler full of food and drink. The center of the display will migrate over the course of the night, so take that into account before heading out. Soon after sunset, the first meteors of the night will appear low on the eastern horizon. As the evening wears on, the best viewing will move to the south. There, the best viewing of the night will be seen just before dawn, with the best views happening about two hours before local sunrise.
Annual meteor showers occur when the Earth, orbiting around the Sun, runs into debris left behind by passing comets. The Delta Aquarids are the result of a pair of the icy bodies, comets Marsden and Kracht. Each of these objects broke up long ago, leaving behind tiny fragments in their wake. The asteroids which pass through our atmosphere causing shooting stars are usually only about the size of an apple seed.
This event will be seen over most of the world, although the best viewing will be from locations in the southern hemisphere. The name comes from a star near the spot in the sky where the shower seems to emanate - Delta Aquarii, located in the constellation Aquarius.
