16 Jul. () –
Aquariid deltas Southern Meteor Shower, a phenomenon characterized by moderate activity, generating approximately 25 meteors per hour under optimal observation conditions and extending from July 12 to August 23, They will peak in the northern hemisphere between July 30 and 31.according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN).
Meteored explains that the Southern Delta Aquariids are one of the first meteor showers of the summer, and they begin to be observed around July 12, so they are already visible these days. It is a meteor shower that crosses the skies between July and August.
Its shooting stars have their radiant in the star Delta, also known as Skat, in the constellation Aquarius, and that is where its name comes from.
According to the National Astronomical Observatory of the IGN, this great astronomical event can be best observed in the southern hemisphere, although it can also be enjoyed in the northern hemisphere, especially during its peak.
The Delta Aquariids are visible in various areas of the sky but, for optimal observationIGN recommends looking towards the darkest areas, avoiding the light of the Moon. According to NASA, the ideal point to observe them is located at about 45 degrees from the constellation Aquarius.
The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower shares several characteristics with other meteor showers, including its association with a parent comet. Experts believe the phenomenon is linked to comet 96P/Machholz.
Discovered in 1986 by amateur astronomer Donald Machholz (1952-2022), comet 96P/Machholz presents several peculiarities: Its orbit is notably eccentric and it has the closest perihelion among short-period comets, completing its trajectory in approximately 5.29 years.
Furthermore, this comet is very unusual due to its high orbital inclination. Its chemical composition is also remarkable for its rarity, which has led some scientists to consider the possibility that it may have an extrasolar origin. It also suggests that it could have formed around another star before being captured by the Sun.
He comet 96P/Machholzlike all comets, leaves a trail of particles known as meteoroids, which are distributed along the comet’s orbit, creating what is called a meteor tube. The Earth, in its annual journey, crosses this meteor tube from mid-July to the end of August.
Due to the stability of the orbits of comet 96P/Machholz and Earth, this passage always occurs at the same time of year, which explains why the Southern Delta Aquariids are visible at the same time each year. In addition, Earth passes through the densest section of the tube around July 31, so the peak of this meteor shower always occurs around this time.
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