Overview
- The Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids are forecast to reach their maxima around July 28–31, giving observers the rare chance to see meteors from two separate streams in one night.
- The Southern Delta Aquariids normally produce many fast, faint meteors with ideal rates near 15–25 per hour under dark skies, but their streaks will be hardest to see this year because of moonlight.
- The Alpha Capricornids are far less frequent at about 3–5 meteors per hour but often produce slow, bright fireballs that are more likely to stand out against the bright Moon.
- Skywatching is best after midnight into the pre-dawn hours when the Aquarius radiant climbs highest and when observers can put the Moon below the horizon or behind an obstruction to improve contrast.
- Historical outbursts of the Delta Aquariids have occurred in 1977 and 2003, though no outburst is predicted now, and the Perseid peak in mid-August will offer darker skies for better viewing.