Meteor Shower – Photo by DAS Member Bart Scully

What Is a Meteor Shower?

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through a trail of debris left by a comet or asteroid. These tiny bits of rock and dust enter our atmosphere and burn up, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky. We call these “shooting stars,” but they’re actually small space particles meeting their fiery end high above us.

What Causes the Delta Aquariids?

This shower comes from debris left behind by Comet 96P/Machholz. As Earth moves through this trail each year, the bits of dust and rock burn up in the atmosphere, lighting up the sky with quick, bright flashes.

When to Watch the Delta Aquariids

The Delta Aquariid meteor shower is active from mid-July to late August, with the peak occurring around July 28–30. During the peak, you can expect to see up to 20 meteors per hour in a dark sky. The best time to look is after midnight through the early morning hours, when the radiant point is higher in the sky and meteors are more frequent. The meteors appear to come from the constellation Aquarius, near the star Delta Aquarii. You don’t need to locate the constellation to enjoy the show — just face the southern sky and watch. Meteors can appear anywhere overhead, but they’ll seem to radiate from that area.

Where to Watch the Delta Aquariids

Find a dark location away from city lights, such as a local park, open space, or dark sky site. Bring a reclining chair or blanket so you can look up comfortably. No telescope or binoculars are needed — just your eyes. Give yourself about 15–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Dress for the weather, bring snacks or warm drinks, and enjoy a relaxing night under the stars.

Pro Tip

The Delta Aquariids often overlap with the start of the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks in August. That means you might see meteors from both showers in one night — a great bonus for skywatchers!

Keep Looking Up

The Delta Aquariids offer a quieter alternative to the more famous meteor showers, but they’re still a beautiful reminder of the wonders of the night sky. If you’re looking for a peaceful summer stargazing experience, don’t miss this annual light show!

Clear skies and happy stargazing!