The Shooting stars are also known as Meteors. Meteors, and meteorites are often called “shooting stars”. They are the streaks of light formed when small pieces of space debris enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds.
These space debris called meteorites, vary in size and can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a big round rock. When we see meteors in the sky they glow brightly, the reason behind this is as they travel through the atmosphere, the friction caused by their high velocity heats them and glows.
A meteorite’s glowing process depends on its size, if the size is small then it lasts for a few seconds only. If a large meteorite survives the journey through the atmosphere and lands on Earth, it is called a meteorite.
Normally shooting stars are observed during meteor showers, as they pass through the tail debris of the comet. During this time many visible meteors can provide a spectacular show for stargazers.
Month of July is of Delta Aquariids meteor shower. It is an annual celestial event that occurs from mid-July to late August, with its peak typically around late July. It’s named after the constellation Aquarius, from which the meteors appear to originate, specifically near the star Delta Aquarii.
The Delta Aquariids are known for their regular passage of meteors, averaging about 15-20 meteors per hour at their peak. The meteors are with long, glowing trails, usually faint making them a beautiful view for stargazers. The Delta Aquariids is best viewed in the southern hemisphere, but northern hemisphere observers can also catch a good display under dark, clear skies with no pollution.
Parent Comet
The Delta Aquariids meteor shower originate from the 96P/Machholz Complex. Don Machholz, the late astronomer who discovered 12 comets, left us with this celestial legacy. The 96P/Machholz Complex includes not only the Delta Aquariids but also includes the Marsden and Kracht comet groups, along with at least one asteroid (2003 EH1).
Meteor Count and Characteristics
when there is dark skies with no moon, you can expect a maximum hourly rate of 15 to 20 meteors per hour. These meteors are fainter than the Perseids, so to watch it with naked eye you need a moon-free dark sky is essential. Approximately 5% to 10% of Delta Aquariids meteors leave persistent trains—glowing ionized gas trails that linger for a second or two after the meteor passes.
When and Where to Watch Shooting Stars?
The Delta Aquariids meteor shower will see in the skies from July 18 to August 21. For observers in the Northern Hemisphere, the radiant rises in mid-evening, reaches its highest point around 2 a.m., and then descends toward dawn. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s closer to overhead.
To see this amazing meteor shower, use the bright star Fomalhaut as your guide to locate the radiant. Draw an imaginary line southward through the stars on the west side of the Great Square of Pegasus to find Fomalhaut.
Peak of Meteor shower
The peak of the Delta Aquariids is predicted for July 30, 2024, at 15:16 UTC. However, this shower doesn’t have a distinct peak; it steadily graces our skies from late July through early August. So keep an eye out for Delta Aquariids and the upcoming Perseids before the moon rises in late July.
There is advantage for people in Southern hemisphere, skywatchers in the southern U.S. can still enjoy this cosmic show. Remember, patience, pollution free night and a moon-free night are your allies in spotting these amazing bright meteors.
