Overview
- The Buck Moon will reach peak fullness on Wednesday, July 29 and will appear full to many observers on the evenings of July 28–29.
- The Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids are forecast to peak overnight July 30–31 with approximate ideal rates of 25 and 5 meteors per hour respectively.
- The American Meteor Society and multiple outlets report the Moon will be about 98% illuminated at the meteor peaks, so bright moonlight will hide many faint streaks while leaving occasional bright meteors visible.
- For the best chance to see meteors, observers should watch between midnight and dawn, face away from the Moon or use terrain to block it, and seek darker skies at lower latitudes where Aquarius climbs higher.
- Skywatchers are advised to plan for better displays in August when the Perseid peak on Aug. 12–13 occurs with little moonlight and when a total solar eclipse crosses parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain on Aug. 12.