Double meteor shower is peaking: What time and where to see shooting stars in NJ

If the night sky had a summer blockbuster season, this might be the double feature.

Two meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, are peaking into July 31, giving skywatchers a chance to see shooting stars, bright fireballs and perhaps even a few early Perseids. The timing isn't perfect. A nearly full moon will brighten the sky and hide many fainter meteors. But the brightest streaks should still put on a show for those willing to stay up late.

The Southern Delta Aquariids are the workhorse of tonight's event. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, they can produce up to 25 meteors per hour. The Alpha Capricornids are much smaller, typically generating only about five meteors per hour, but they make up for it with spectacular fireballs that can shine brightly even when moonlight interferes.

That combination means tonight's sky could feature fewer overall meteors than some years, but potentially more memorable ones.

Another reason tonight is generating interest among astronomy fans is that it serves as a preview of what's ahead. The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most popular skywatching events of the year, is already active and building toward its peak in August.

Some observers could catch an occasional Perseid mixed in with the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, creating a rare triple-shower experience.

The biggest obstacle may be the moon. Just one day after the July buck moon reached full phase, the moon remains about 98% illuminated.

That bright glow will wash out many of the dimmer meteors that would otherwise be visible. Experts say the best strategy is simple: find the darkest location possible, put away your phone and give your eyes time to adjust. The brightest meteors and fireballs can still cut through the moonlight.

The best viewing window is expected to begin after midnight and continue through the pre-dawn hours of July 31. Meteor activity generally increases as the night progresses, with many experts pointing to the hours between about 2 a.m. and dawn as the prime time to watch.

The meteor showers will be visible across much of the United States, weather permitting. The best views will come from locations far from city lights with open views of the sky. You won't need a telescope or binoculars. In fact, naked-eye viewing is recommended because meteors can appear anywhere overhead.

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through streams of debris left behind by comets. This week, Earth's orbit intersects debris from both the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids at nearly the same time. The overlap creates a combined sky show featuring both a higher number of meteors and the possibility of unusually bright fireballs.

Yes. The Perseids are already active as they build toward their annual peak on Aug. 12-13. While tonight belongs primarily to the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, some early Perseid meteors may also be visible.

Under ideal conditions, the Southern Delta Aquariids can produce up to 25 meteors per hour while the Alpha Capricornids contribute about five per hour. Real-world totals will vary significantly because of local weather, light pollution and the bright moon. Even so, skywatchers may still catch several shooting stars and the occasional brilliant fireball before sunrise.

The Southern Delta Aquariids are the more active half of tonight's double meteor shower, capable of producing up to 25 meteors per hour under dark skies. The shower is known for a steady stream of fast-moving shooting stars and peaks overnight July 30-31.

The Alpha Capricornids produce far fewer meteors, typically around five per hour, but they're famous for something rarer: bright fireballs. These slow-moving meteors can be unusually vivid and may remain visible even with tonight's bright moonlight.

The Perseid meteor shower is already active and will continue building toward its annual peak on Aug. 12-13. Considered one of the year's most popular meteor showers, the Perseids are known for producing bright meteors, frequent shooting stars and favorable viewing conditions. Skywatchers watching tonight's double meteor shower may even catch an early Perseid mixed into the display.

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Double meteor shower is peaking: What time and where to see shooting stars in NJ