Wondering what time is the meteor shower tonight? You’re in for a celestial treat as two major meteor showers—the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids—are peaking tonight, July 29 into the early hours of July 30, 2025. These overlapping showers will deliver a spectacular sky show, with bright fireballs and steady streaks crossing the night sky.
The Southern Delta Aquariids could produce up to 25 meteors per hour, especially visible in darker areas of the southern hemisphere and lower U.S. states. At the same time, the Alpha Capricornids may offer fewer meteors—around 5 per hour—but these tend to be bold, slow, and brilliant, sometimes exploding into glowing fireballs.
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🌌 Peak Timing and Visibility
To catch the meteor shower at its best, timing is everything. Both showers are forecast to hit their peak overnight:
- Alpha Capricornids: Visible from around midnight to 1:00 a.m., known for bright, slow-moving fireballs.
- Southern Delta Aquariids: Best viewed between 2:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., with steady, faint meteors.
The ideal viewing window is between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., depending on your location. During these hours, the skies will be darker, and the meteor activity will be strongest.
🌠 What You’ll See
Expect two distinct meteor types tonight:
- Southern Delta Aquariids:
- Active from mid-July to mid-August.
- Produces 15–25 faint meteors per hour at peak.
- Radiates from the constellation Aquarius, low in the southeast sky.
- Alpha Capricornids:
- Active from early July to mid-August.
- Generates around 5 meteors per hour.
- Often includes fireballs—bright meteors that can light up the entire sky.
- Radiates from Capricornus, also in the southeastern sky.
Though the Aquariids provide more quantity, the Capricornids offer memorable visual impact.
🔭 Best Viewing Tips
To get the best meteor shower experience tonight, follow these tips:
- Find a dark location: Go far from city lights for clearer skies.
- Face southeast: That’s where both showers originate.
- Avoid looking at your phone: Let your eyes adjust to the darkness for 20 minutes.
- Use a reclining chair or blanket: Comfort matters—look up and scan the whole sky.
- No need for telescopes: Meteors are best viewed with the naked eye.
If clouds or haze block your view early, don’t worry. These showers last for days, though the peak activity is tonight.
🌒 Moon Conditions Tonight
The moon will be in its waning crescent phase, with just under 30% illumination. That means the sky will be reasonably dark, especially after moonset, improving meteor visibility. It’s not a new moon, but the conditions are favorable compared to brighter phases.
📍 Where You Can See It
These meteor showers are visible across most of the world, but particularly clear views are expected in:
- The southern United States
- Central and South America
- Southern Europe
- Parts of Africa and Australia
Northern regions may still spot some meteors, especially after midnight when the radiant climbs higher in the sky.
📸 Want to Photograph the Show?
- Use a tripod-mounted camera.
- Set long exposure (10–20 seconds).
- Aim toward the southeast sky.
- Use manual focus and a wide-angle lens.
Even smartphone cameras can capture meteors with the right settings.
🌌 Final Notes
If you’ve been asking what time is the meteor shower tonight, now you know: After midnight is prime time, with best views between 2:00 and 4:30 a.m. Whether you’re in the countryside or a suburban backyard, take a moment to step outside, look up, and enjoy the night sky’s performance. Let us know in the comments how many meteors you spotted—or if you caught a brilliant fireball lighting up your night!