Two meteor showers that have been active for most of July are about to hit their peak right at the same time.
The alpha Capricornids and the Southern Delta Aquarids don't quite have the juice of the famous Perseid meteor shower – which is also active – but they may still put on a decent two-night show for skywatchers. If the conditions are right, that is.
Those wanting to spot either meteor shower in California will need to be aware of two obstacles in 2026 that may hamper the view of light shows that are infamously already hard to spot in the United States: a full moon and the potential for scattered cloud cover.
But if you're unable to spot them, not to worry. Those Perseids mentioned above? They'll be peaking themselves in a matter of days.
Here's everything to know right now in California about the two meteor showers peaking soon.
Both the alpha Capricornids and the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor showers became active earlier in July. The Southern Delta Aquarids (also spelled "Aquariids") will be active through Aug. 23, while the Capricornids will come to an end around Aug. 15, according to the American Meteor Society.
Both the Southern Delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are also due to peak at the same time between Thursday July 30 and Friday, July 31 as Earth passes through the densest part of the associated comets' debris.
Unfortunately, neither shower is exactly famed for being very strong in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the U.S.
The Southern Delta Aquarids are faint meteors that are difficult enough to spot as it is. But if the moon is visible at all, it will be near impossible, according to NASA.
Fortunately, stargazers will soon be treated later this summer to the peak of what is widely considered to be the best meteor shower of the year.
Made up of leftover particles from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, the Perseid meteor shower gained its reputation for the plentiful whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs it reliably produces each year pretty much around the globe. Fireballs – large explosions of light and color – can persist even longer than an average meteor streak, NASA says.
In 2026, the Perseids will be active July 17-Aug. 24, peaking for two nights between Aug. 12-13.
The bigger and brighter the moon, the more its light can interfere with your view of streaking meteors.
And, unfortunately, a full Buck moon will appear to be rising Thursday, July 29, and will continue during the peak of the showers to be mostly full in a waning gibbous phase, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Of course, clouds in the sky could also hamper the views.
The National Weather Service shared a graphic showing cloud cover forecasted for both nights of the meteor shower's peak in California. Blue shading indicates clear skies, while areas with gray shading and higher percentage numbers having a higher chance for clouds.
While the alpha Capricornids are equally visible either side of the equator, the Southern Delta Aquarids are best seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Still, both showers can still be visible in the Northern Hemisphere – especially, in the case of the Aquarids, the farther south you are.
Want to try to catch a meteor shower this July? Spectators will have the best luck at dark sky locations on cloud-free nights and away from city light pollution.
To find a dark area near you, turn to DarkSky International. The U.S nonprofit that maintains a list of designated dark sky communities around the world, including 176 in the United States.
That includes these locations in California:
Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms, the famous park that straddles the boundary of two deserts. While the western half of the park is impacted by light from Palm Springs, the eastern wilderness area has some darkest night skies left in the region.
Julian, California, a small village near the center of San Diego County known for clear, dark skies;
Borrego Springs, California, a town Located 88 miles northeast of San Diego that is a favorite spot for star gazers;
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, a state park in southern California where plenty of undeveloped land keeps the area's night skies relatively dark;
Death Valley National Park, a famous park distant enough from the large cities of the southwest that the night sky above the desert floor is essentially pristine.
In general, the best time to see meteors are between midnight and dawn. Visit the website Time and Date to find the best times and viewing directions for your location.
The space debris that interacts with our atmosphere to create the Southern Delta Aquarids is suspected to be from the comet 96P/Machholz. Discovered in 1986, the comet orbits the sun about once every five years.
In order to distinguish it from the ETA Aquarids meteor shower that peaks in May, the meteor shower is partly named for the constellation from which it appears – Aquarius – as well as the constellation's largest star, Delta, NASA said.
Originating from the constellation Capricornus, the alpha Capricornids are caused by debris from the comet 169P/NEAT.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Two meteor showers to begin 2-night peak. Tips for California skywatchers