The first meteor shower of the summer arrives: this is how you can see it from Gipuzkoa

The “first meteor shower of the summer”, according to Meteored, can be seen from Gipuzkoa. The southern deltas of the Aquarids have been visible since July 12 and all indications are that they will be visible until August 23. The peak of the projection will occur on July 30 and 31 in the northern hemisphere, although since there are no clouds expected in the skies of Gipuzkoa in the next few hours, they will be visible until they return this Saturday, according to Euskalmet forecasts.

The Delta Aquarid shower promises to be one of the most spectacular astronomical events of the summer of 2024. In principle, the conditions for observation will be ideal. The Moon, which will be in its waning phase for the last two days of July, will not interfere too much with observations at the peak, “which, according to experts, will be quite extended.” In Gipuzkoana, forecasts for the next few hours indicate that the phenomenon will be enjoyed thanks to clear skies that will last until the weekend.

Although not as well known as the Perseids, this meteor shower deserves to be seen by any astronomy fan. They are already visible in the night sky of Gipuzko in July and will remain there for most of August. The origin of its name is related to the constellation Aquarius. Its star is Delta, also known as the Ray, and is located right at the radiant (the point in the sky where shooting stars seem to emanate).

How to see delta aquaria

Experts from the National Geographic Institute (IGN) recommend optimal conditions for observing the Delta Aquarid stellar stream, whose radiant is located in the star Delta, as can be seen in the following image:

To see this meteor shower, it is recommended to look towards the darkest parts of the sky. The best point is 45 degrees from the constellation Aquarius, although its path can be seen at night from anywhere in the sky. As with any night observation, it is also best to move away from the points of earthly light to avoid light pollution. The SDGSAT-1 satellite showed the amount of light at each point in Gipuzkoa a few months ago. Experts also advise not to be near buildings, trees or mountains to have a clearer view. And the ideal position is to simply lie down and wait for your eyes to get used to the darkness, and avoid optical instruments, as they limit the field of view.

Comet 96P/Machholz, the source of the meteor shower

The phenomenon is easier to see in the south, although the National Geographic Institute (IGN) Astronomical Observatory says it can be seen in the northern hemisphere, especially during its peak (July 30-31). The Delta Aquarids are moderately active, producing about 25 meteors per hour. These meteors can reach speeds of up to 15,000 kilometers per hour and are debris from comet 96P/Machholz, discovered in 1986 by astronomer Donald Machholz.

The comet ejects particles (metroids) that are distributed throughout its orbit, forming a tube. Given the stability of the orbits of 96P/Machholz and the Earth, the intersection of the meteor tube with the planet always occurs at the same time of year, which explains why the Delta Aquarids are visible during the same period of the year. In addition, in late July, the Earth passes through the area with the highest concentration of particles in the tube, so the peak of this meteor shower occurs on these dates.