I was hoping to get to see some of the Delta Aquarid meteor shower from a mountaintop in the Ozarks this weekend, but the viewing will be hampered by a full moon. Fortunately, according to earthsky.org, that won’t be my last chance.
Meteor numbers for this shower don’t bump up significantly at this shower’s peak; in fact, they’ll continue on into August and overlap with the famous Perseid meteor shower. The moon will turn new on August 11, 2018, providing dark skies for both the Perseids and the Delta Aquariids around then. The Perseids radiate from the constellation Perseus. The Delta Aquariids radiate from the constellation Aquarius. That means those August meteors will be flying from two different directions in the sky. Lots of fun to watch!
(By Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in ASTRONOMY ESSENTIALS, earthsky.org, July 23, 2018)
Where I live, my view is obscured to the south, but I have a great view to the north, so I plan to go out sky-watching on August 11 and focus on the Perseids. Who knows, with any luck, I might get to see meteors streaking across from both north and south.
Here’s a beautiful shot of one (from earthsky,org) taken in my neck of the country, in the Geno Ketcham Richland Creek Wildlife Area in Arkansas.
Have fun my friends, and keep looking to the stars!
