July's full Buck Moon is about to rise, but the month's calendar of astronomical events won't be over as it begins to wane.
Two of the roughly 30 meteor showers that NASA says are visible from Earth will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere - or at least parts of it - beginning in mid-July. Both showers will be visible from evening through dawn, meaning that stargazers won't have to stay up late to get a glimpse.
While both showers begin soon, and cover a similar range of dates, the two have some major differences. Here's what to know about the upcoming showers, July's full moon and more.
What is the next meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower begins July 14, followed by the Delta Aquariid meteor shower, which begins July 18. The meteor showers are quite different, with meteors moving in different directions. The Delta Aquariids are also significantly fainter, with fewer meteors per hour visible during peak dates.
When can I see the Delta Aquariid meteor shower? What time is the Delta Aquariid meteor shower?
The Delta Aquariid meteor shower begins July 18 and extends through Aug. 12. The Delta Aquariids are at peak activity July 29-30. During peak dates, EarthSky.org says that viewers can expect to see a maximum rate of 15-20 meteors per hour in a dark sky with no moon.
Where can I see the Delta Aquariid meteor shower?
The Southern Delta Aquariids can be viewed in the Southern Hemisphere and southern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
To find the Delta Aquariids, search for the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate, known as the radiant. NASA says that viewers can find the Delta Aquariid radiant in the southern part of the sky in the direction of the constellation Aquarius.
When can I see the Perseid meteor shower? What time is the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower begins July 14 and extends through August 24. The Perseids are at peak activity Aug. 11-12. During peak dates, NASA says viewers can expect to see an average of up to 100 meteors per hour.
Space.com suggests watching the sky around 11 p.m., when rates of shooting stars increase. However, the website also warns that this year, the peak occurs just three days after a full moon, meaning fainter meteors may be drowned out by its light.
Where can I see the Perseids meteor shower?
The Perseids are visible in the Northern Hemisphere and down to the mid-southern latitudes. The Perseids' radiant is in the northern part of the sky near the Perseus constellation, which follows the brighter and more distinctive constellation Cassiopeia.
When is the July full moon?
July's Buck Moon will reach peak illumination on July 10 at 4:37 p.m. As it will be below the horizon at that time, plan to look toward the southeast after sunset to watch it rise.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: When is the next meteor shower? Perseid, Delta Aquariid begin in July
