Star gazers will be treated to a trio of meteor showers, peaking at the end of the week.
The Piscis Austrinids is expected to peak on 28 July, while the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids will peak on July 30.
Where to see the meteor showers
Excitingly, the showers coincide with a new moon on July 29, which means the sky will be quite dark. Here is everything you need to know.
The Piscis Austrinids – July 28
Speaking to The Guardian, Prof Orsola De Marco from Macquarie University says, the Piscis Austrinids will have quite a low shower rate.
“If you’re on the east coast of Australia, the Piscis Austrinids will rise around 8pm to the south-east, travelling closer to due east by 11pm.”
“Look towards the east, about 45 degrees up – about halfway between the horizon and above your head.”
The Southern Delta Aquariids – July 30
The Southern Delta Aquariidswill peak on 30 July, and will have the most meteors (up to 20 an hour).
“The Southern Delta Aquariids will be visible around 11pm, to the east-northeast and 45 degrees upwards from the horizon,” Prof Orsola says.
Alpha Capricornids – July 30
Similar to the Southern Delta Aquariids, the Alpha Capricornids will peak on 30 July. Although it will have a low shower rate, it will be very bright.
The Alpha Capricornids are “relatively bright and will have some fireballs,” Prof Orsola says.
Catch a glimpse of the Alpha Capricornids at “about 11pm on 30 July to the north-northeast, about 65 degrees up from the horizon.”
What causes a meteor shower?
As comets orbit around the solar system, they shed particles. The National Geographic explains these “particles appear as a dusty trail behind the ‘dirty snowball’ of rock, ice, and gas that makes up the comet’s nucleus.”
“As the Earth passes through a comet’s tail, the rocky debris collides with our atmosphere, creating the colourful streaks of a meteor shower.”
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