How and when to watch July’s double meteor shower peak

Key Points:

• The Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids meteor showers will peak Thursday night into Friday, but visibility may be hindered by the full moon's bright light on Wednesday.
• The full moon, which stays up all night, will make it difficult to see fainter meteors during the peak, especially in the Northern Hemisphere; however, viewers in the Southern Hemisphere may have better chances due to the meteor radiants being higher overhead.
• The Southern Delta Aquariids produce faster meteors at a rate of about 2-3 per hour, while the Alpha Capricornids feature fewer but brighter meteors, approximately three per hour from both hemispheres.
• Observing meteor showers helps scientists track space particles and assess potential hazards for human spaceflight by understanding what spacecraft might encounter in orbit.
• The Perseid meteor shower, peaking in mid-August, is expected to offer a more spectacular and easily visible display with clearer skies compared to the current double peak.