Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids peak amid near-full moon

The Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers are expected to peak overnight from Thursday into Friday, one night after the July Buck Moon reaches 98% illumination. The bright moon will make it difficult for most skywatchers to see the showers, astronomers said.

The Southern Delta Aquariids, active from July 23 through August 23, are most visible from the southern tropics and typically produce a steady but faint stream of meteors without frequent fireballs. The Alpha Capricornids, which run from July 12 through August 12, are a weaker shower that usually yields fewer than five meteors per hour at peak, though they can generate bright fireballs.

Observers in the southern United States, Mexico and the Caribbean have the best chance of spotting any activity, with the optimal viewing window between midnight and dawn. Experts advise positioning the moon behind a building, tree or hill and looking toward the darkest part of the sky; no special equipment is required.

If cloud cover or moonlight obstructs the view, a clearer opportunity will arrive in August when the Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12-13 under moonless conditions, producing rates of up to 100 meteors per hour.