William Atkins
Wednesday, 09 July 2008 21:30
Science -
Space
Page 1 of 2
The Southern Delta Aquarids is a meteor shower that will be visible from mid-July to mid-August, but will peak on July 28-29, 2008.
Specifically, you should be able to see them from about July 14th to around August 18th.
The meteor shower is caused when the planet Earth flies through the debris trail of a comet. It is not known for sure what originally created the Delta Aquarids, but Comet 96P/Machholz is currently the leading candidate to be its parent comet.
American amateur astronomer Donald Machholz, from California, discovered Comet 96P/Machholz in 1986.
Further information about the comet is found at the Sky and Telescope website “
A Winter Comet Glows in the Evening Sky.”
On a normal year, the shower produces about fifteen to twenty meteors per hour at its peak. However, its maximum number in one hour could be up to sixty or so.
Although skygazers in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth will get the best show, people in the Northern Hemisphere will also be able to see them.
It is expected to peak after midnight on July 28, 2008. However, the time of its peak is not definite—only “probably” occurring after midnight on July 28th. It may instead produce a fairly steady stream of meteors during its crossing of the night skies in late July to early August.
The meteors from the Southern Delta Aquarids will appear to come out near one of the brightest stars (Delta Aquarii) from the constellation Aquarius, which is why it got its name “Delta Aquarids.”
Where in the sky can you see the meteors of the Southern Delta Aquarids? Please read page two.
