ASTRONOMY

July double meteor shower: Where and when can we see the phenomenon?

Astronomical phenomena will continue to delight sky gazers, this time with a double meteor shower. Find out where and when to see the sparkly display.

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Following the bright Buck Moon that lit up the heavens just a few weeks ago, the night sky will be illuminated once again, this time by the arrival of a double meteor shower, which will take place at the end of the month.

While visibility will depend on weather conditions, the fact that two meteor showers will occur at almost the same time increases the chances of seeing the phenomenon. However, the level of appreciation will be subject to the right conditions, such as low light pollution and clear skies. Since the moon will only be 20-30% full, greater contrast in the skies is expected.

Meteor showers occur at specific times of the year when Earth’s orbit intersects with the orbit of the meteoroid stream. Some well-known annual meteor showers include the Perseids (August), the Geminids (December), and the Quadrantids (January).

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Double meteor shower: When will we be able to see the phenomenon?

The double meteor shower will take place at the end of July. The first, called the Southern Delta Aquariids, will peak early in the morning o the 30th. The second meteor shower, the Alpha Capricornids, will peak late in the evening on July 30 and early in the morning on July 31.

This means that the double meteor shower will peak on July 30, when the two showers will overlap, resulting in a wonderful visual spectacle.

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Where to see the double meteor shower

The double meteor shower will be visible from the Northern Hemisphere, meaning any dark park in the United States is a good place to enjoy the celestial spectacle. For the best experience, NASA recommends viewing the event from a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the night sky. Both showers will be visible across the entire sky, no matter where you look.

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