Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower – July 2024

Quick Facts

• Zenithal Hourly Rate: 25
• Peak Date: July 30th
• Source: Comet 96P/Machholz
• Speed: 25 miles (40km) per second

Source

The source of this annual meteor shower is believed to be Comet 96P/Machholz. This is a short-period sungrazing comet discovered in 1986. The orbital period brings it around the Sun about every 5.3 years. What is unusual about this comet is the highly eccentric orbit. It comes as close as 0.12 AU to the Sun, which is well within the orbit of Mercury. The last return was in January 2023 and it will next reach perihelion in May 2028. The estimated diameter is about 4 miles (6.4km). A dusty trail of debris is left behind by the comet. When Earth encounters this trail of small particles, they burn up in the atmosphere, creating the Delta Aquariid meteor shower.

Numbers and Speed

At the high end, Delta Aquariids may produce up to 25 meteors per hour. These meteors have a medium speed of about 25 miles per second. They are not known for being the brightest meteors. Because the radiant is in the southern sky, lower latitudes and the Southern Hemisphere will have a better view. The Northern Hemisphere will see slightly reduced rates. The Delta Aquariids are known for having a broad peak of activity, unlike other meteor showers which are more concentrated in a single night. There is also plenty of overlap with the Perseids later in August.

Radiant

Like all meteor showers, the Delta Aquariids are named for the radiant that they appear to originate from. Delta Aquarii is the 3rd brightest star in the constellation of Aquarius. The higher the radiant rises in your sky, the higher the meteor rate will be. Aquarius will be at its highest in the southern sky before dawn. It is not necessary to know exactly where the radiant is because meteors may appear anywhere in the sky. In fact meteors closer to the radiant will have shorter trails due to foreshortening. Unlike sporadic meteors, the trails can always be traced back towards Delta Aquarii.

This Year

2024 will be a decent year for viewing Delta Aquariids. Though there will be moonlight, it won’t be overly bright. At its peak on July 30th, the 26% waning crescent rises around 1AM local time. Meteors may be visible at reduced numbers anywhere from July 18th – August 21st. Before the peak the moon will be more of a hindrance. But after the peak going into the first week of August the moon will be completely absent. Perseids will start to be visible as well. No matter where they come from, there will be meteors.

Viewing Tips

• Get to the darkest skies you can. Light pollution will drown out all but the brightest of meteors. Use the light pollution map or dark site list to find a viewing spot near you.
• Let your eyes adjust to the darkness. The longer you look the more stars and fainter meteors you’ll see. Any bright lights or phone screens will hinder your view. A dim red flashlight or headlamp is best for getting around.
• Turn off your headlights as soon as you park your car. Be considerate if other stargazers are around so you don’t ruin their view.
• A beach chair or camping chair that reclines will be the most comfortable. Otherwise laying flat on the ground on a blanket is fine. You want to take in as much sky as possible so you don’t miss anything.
• Bring warm clothes. You start to feel cold fast when you’re not moving.
• Hot chocolate or coffee is helpful for staying awake.
• Meteors are often spaced unevenly. Sometimes 10 minutes may pass without seeing any and then suddenly there are 10 in a single minute.
• Head over to How to Photograph a Meteor Shower for more photography tips