If there’s one thing that’ll get Aussies braving the winter chill, it’s the allure of a rare celestial event. From magical meteor showers to unexpected auroras, we’ve had our fair share of cosmic wonders this year – and now, there’s a doubleheader set to grace our night skies at the end of this month.
In an extremely rare alignment last year, the Delta Aquarids and the Alpha Capricornids meteor showers peaked on the very same night. This year, the double celestial act will happen just days apart – with the Delta Aquarids lighting up the skies on July 28 and the Alpha Capricornids following on July 30. Here’s when and how to see the shooting star shows.
When to see the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids in Australia?
Late July is set to deliver a cosmic double act, with two meteor showers lighting up Australian skies just days apart. The Delta Aquariids will peak first on Monday, July 28, with the Alpha Capricornids shower reaching their brightest on Wednesday, July 30.
According to Associate Professor Devika Kamath from Macquarie University’s School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, the best viewing window is between midnight and 4am (AEST) from July 28 to 31, when both showers are active and the moon is mercifully out of the way.
What can you expect to see on the night?
At its absolute peak on July 28, the Delta Aquariids could produce up to a whopping 20 shooting stars per hour (given the sky is totally dark and clear). Although fainter, the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower is famous for producing impressively bright fireballs, and you can expect to see two to five meteors per hour – even in areas with light pollution.
How to see the double meteor shower in Australia?
To witness this cosmic spectacle, it helps to have a little bit of astronomical know-how. The Southern Delta Aquariids appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, while the Alpha Capricornids originate from Capricornus. You can use a stargazing app like Stellarium or an online sky chart to find these constellations in your local sky. These tools can help you pinpoint the meteor radiants and plan the perfect viewing spot.
Professor Kamath adds, “In the early evening, the radiants (the points where meteors appear to originate) rise in the northeast. By midnight, they’re high in the northern sky, and by pre-dawn, they drift toward the northwest. Scanning this arc will maximise your chances of catching long, dramatic trails.”
She also recommends finding a spot away from the city lights and giving your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. And considering we’re in the depths of winter, bring plenty of warm layers and blankets too!
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.