After more than two months since the last show of shooting stars, it’s almost time to pack a picnic blanket, fill a flask with a hot bev of your choice and set up camp on your nearest hill. In the very early hours of tomorrow (July 29) morning two – yes two – meteor showers will be putting on a dazzling display in UK skies.
The showers, named Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornids will both reach their peak in the hour or so after midnight tonight. They’re the first meteor showers of the summer and although they’re both on the slower side, combined they’ll make for spectacular viewing.
Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or hoping to catch sight of your first display, here’s how you can catch sight of them.
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What are the Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers?
A meteor shower happens when the Earth passes through debris left by a comet. When the bits of rock and dust collide with our planet’s atmosphere, they vaporise and create a bright streak of light.
It’s not known for certain but Delta Aquariid is thought to come from a comet called 96P/Machholz, while Alpha Capricornids is debris left from comet 169P/NEAT. Neither showers are particularly fast, but they are both very bright.
When will the Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornids be visible in the UK?
Alpha Capricornids has been active since July 3 and will continue until August 15, while Delta Aquariid has been active since mid-July and will be around until August 23. However, both will peak and be at their most visible on the exact same day.
When do they peak?
Both showers are peaking in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday July 30. Stargazers can expect to see up to 20 shooting stars an hour from Delta Aquariid, while Alpha Capricornids is much more infrequent with around five meteors an hour.
How can I watch?
The rules are pretty simple. You don’t need any high-tech equipment, just make sure you’re somewhere with minimal light pollution and ideally have a wide view of the sky unobstructed by trees or buildings. For the best display, make sure to have eyes on the skies in the hour or two after midnight.
Royal Museums Greenwich also advises that you avoid looking at lights or your phone to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. For the best experience, watch from one of the UK’s best stargazing spots.
What will weather conditions be like?
We’re in luck! It looks like the skies will be pretty clear for most of the UK on Monday night and Tuesday morning. The Met Office prediction reads: ‘Cloud and patchy rain sinking southeast across Scotland and Northern Ireland into northwest England. Turning clearer with isolated showers to the northwest. Mostly clear and warm elsewhere.’
When’s the next meteor shower in the UK?
The next meteor shower is the Perseids, which is active right now but will peak on August 12-13. It’s the brightest, fastest display of the year and you can read all about how to watch it here.
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