The Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower and What it Means for You

The name of the shower comes from the constellation in the night sky that it appears to be traveling directly outward from. 

For the Delta Aquariids, the radiant of the shower lies inside the constellation of Aquarius near the bright star Delta Aquarii. 

Origin of the Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower

A meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by a comet.  

As the bits of rock and dust in the stream of debris collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and create fiery streaks across the sky. 

There is still some uncertainty regarding the parent comet responsible for producing the Delta Aquariid meteor shower. 

How to See the Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower

The radiant of the shower lies above the southern horizon and will reach its highest point around 3:30 am – start your meteor watch from around 2 am to increase your chances of spotting meteors. 

Check the weather forecast ahead if it isn’t favorable, find a different location to observe from, or view the meteor shower on another day. 

Make sure that you are in a dark sky area and have an unobstructed view towards the south. 

Then lie down on a blanket or sit in a lawn chair to ensure that you have a wide view of the sky.

Allow your eyes to adapt to the dark and don’t look at any lights or your phone to maintain your dark adaptation.

When you’ve located Delta Aquarii in the sky, look away from the radiant point if you look in the radiant direction, you will only see short meteors.  

Meteors will appear longer the further away from the radiant you look, so aim your gaze about 45 degrees away from Delta Aquarii.

The Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower in 2021

The long and rambling Delta Aquariid shower presents meteors from about July 12 to August 23 each year. 

The nominal peak falls on or near July 29. 

The shower usually provides a decent number of meteors for several days after and before the peak. 

Unfortunately, in 2021, the bright waning gibbous moon will probably wash out a good number of these rather faint meteors. 

As we move into early August, a much fainter waning crescent moon will be less intrusive.

The Delta Aquariid meteors may tend to be a bit fainter than the Perseids and meteors seen in other major showers. 

That makes a dark sky free of moonlight even more imperative for watching the annual Delta Aquariid shower. 

About 5% to 10% of the Delta Aquariid meteors leave persistent trains, glowing ionized gas trails that last a second or two after the meteor has passed. 

The meteors burn up in the upper atmosphere about 60 miles (100 km) above Earth’s surface.

Conclusion

The Delta Aquariid meteor shower lacks a very definite peak. 

It rambles along pretty steadily in late July and August, intermingling with the Perseids. 

The expected nominal peak happens in late July, and in 2021, coincides with a bright waning gibbous moon. 

From any time zone, the best viewing window lasts for several hours, centered on roughly 2 a.m. (3 a.m. daylight saving time). 

Find an open sky away from artificial lights, lie down on a reclining lawn chair, and look upward.