A celestial traffic jam may be on tap this week as two meteor showers combine forces to put on a brilliant sky show.One of the best shooting star events of the year is the annual August Perseid meteor shower. (See Perseids pictures.) However this year's peak, on August 12, happens to coincide with a bright full moon—drastically cutting down the number of meteors visible to the naked eye.
Yet while the main event might be blocked out by the blinding moonlight, the opening act promises to be much better.
This year the lesser known Delta Aquarid meteor shower is expected to peak on Friday night, when the Delta Aquarids' more productive Perseid cousin is just starting to ramp up.
Together the showers will produce anywhere between 15 and 30 shooting stars per hour under clear, dark skies.
"While the moon is set to be an unpleasant guest for the Perseid peak, skywatchers are not out of luck as the Delta Aquarids could be one of the best meteor showers of the year," said Raminder Singh Samra, astronomer at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver, Canada.
"The new moon during the peak of the Delta Aquarids may actually allow for a much more spectacular display."
Just some personal notes, as per usual..
*Meteors can and will appear anywhere in the sky. Just note that their trail will lead back towards the radiant.
*It takes about 10 minutes for your eyes to properly adjust to the darkness.
*Laying flat with an unobstructed horizon will increase your odds.
*Have music, it will relax you and will keep you from counting the seconds between each meteor. I recommend something like Helios or Tycho. Consult our resident bf2s music aficionados for other celestial recommendations. .
tldr; tonight should be a good night for viewing the Delta Aquarid meteor shower, along with a few early Perseid meteors.
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