There are few things that can make you feel more connected with the universe than watching a meteor shower. Luckily for us, the Delta Aquarids meteor shower is right around the corner. When is the Delta Aquarids meteor shower, exactly? The Delta Aquarids meteor shower peaks this summer on July 28 and 29, 2016, meaning that you have just enough time to plan for some glorious stargazing tomorrow. Interestingly, this year's meteor shower has actually been going on since July 12 and is expected to last until Aug. 23; the peak period, however, is usually the best time to see it, so set a reminder for yourself this week in order to get your stargazing fix in.
The meteors seen during this particular shower come from the south, so the best place to watch the Delta Aquarids is from the southern hemisphere — if that's where you're located, you'll likely be able to see the meteors shoot right over your head, giving you an excellent view (and of course, excellent Instagram shots). If you're located in the nothern hemisphere, however, you'll still be able to witness plenty of beauty — an average of between 10 and 20 meteors per hour. Of course, these are most visible in dark skies without obstructions in the way; as such, your best viewing spots will have low light polution levels and a dearth of buildings or other tall structures.
Going back to the question of "when," the best time to view the Delta Aquarids meteor shower is between midnight and 2:00 a.m. during peak nights for all time zones — and if you ask me, it's definitely worth extending your bedtime for it. According to International Business Times, we can actually expect the Delta Aquarids meteor shower to look even better than it did last year, as the moon will be approaching its third quarter waning phase; this causes the sky to be darker, thus rendering the meteors even more visible than usual. Awesome.
Now, if you want to see the Delta Aquarids meteor shower, but don't feel like trekking outside (or maybe your area just isn't great for viewing the stars), you still have plenty of options to indulge in the beauty. For example, Slooh.com is hosting a two-hour live stream of the Delta Aquarids meteor shower hosted by astronomers Will Gater and Bob Berman, which you'll be able to watch right on your own computer. Not only will Gater and Berman be there to fill you in on what's happening in the sky as you watch the meteors, but you can even ask them specific questions live using the Twitter hashtag #SloohDeltaAquarids. Pretty cool, right?
So, there you have it! Even if you're in an area that doesn't have the best viewing conditions, you can definitely still see the Delta Aquarids meteor shower at its peak tomorrow and the following night. Whether you catch it outside, stream it live, or view it later, it's definitely a sight you don't want to miss.
Images: Giphy
