Look up this week because the night sky has a rare double feature in store!
The Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids are both expected to peak overnight on July 29 into the early morning of July 30. Together, they’ll create one of the best stargazing opportunities of the summer.
The two showers each offer something different. The Southern Delta Aquariids bring a steady stream of shooting stars, while the Alpha Capricornids are known for their brilliant fireballs that can briefly light up the sky.
Two meteor showers, one unforgettable night
While it’s not unusual for multiple meteor showers to be active at the same time, it’s much more exciting when their peak viewing dates overlap.
The Southern Delta Aquariids can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under dark skies. The Alpha Capricornids are much smaller, with only about five meteors per hour.
However, they often produce slow-moving, exceptionally bright fireballs that are visible even from areas with some light pollution. Watching both at once means you could catch a steady stream of shooting stars punctuated by a few dazzling fireballs.
What causes a meteor shower?
Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through streams of dust and rocky debris left behind by comets. As those tiny particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create the glowing streaks of light we call shooting stars.
The Southern Delta Aquariids come from debris linked to Comet 96P/Machholz, while the Alpha Capricornids originate from Comet 169P/NEAT.
The best places near L.A. to watch
If you want darker skies, try one of these stargazing spots:
- Griffith Observatory
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Malibu Creek State Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mount Pinos
- Red Rock Canyon State Park
- Saddleback Butte State Park
You may still spot some of the brighter meteors from within Los Angeles, but darker skies will dramatically improve your chances.
How to watch from Los Angeles
You don’t need a telescope or binoculars. Just find a dark location and give your eyes time to adjust.
For the best viewing:
- Watch after midnight through dawn.
- Get as far from city lights as possible.
- Find an open area with a wide view of the sky.
- Let your eyes adjust for about 20 minutes.
- Skip bright phone screens before skygazing.
- Bring a blanket or camping chair and settle in for a while.
Don’t miss one of summer’s best sky shows
With two meteor showers peaking on the same night, this week offers one of the best chances of the year to catch a celestial show over Southern California.
Whether you’re hoping to count shooting stars or witness a brilliant fireball, all you need is a clear sky, a comfortable spot, and a little patience.
