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Space/Science

Delta Aquarid meteor shower - July 12 to August 19

From Astronomy Magazine's newsletter:

Meteors galore

Viewing the southern branch of the Delta Aquarid meteor shower benefits this year from the Moon's absence.

This annual shower's activity stretches from July 12 to August 19, so it significantly overlaps next month's Perseid meteor shower. The southern Delta Aquarids should peak July 28, just 3 days after New Moon.

At its peak, this shower produces a zenithal hourly rate - the number of meteors that would be seen per hour under a pitch-black sky if the radiant were overhead - between 15 and 20. From North America and Europe, however, the radiant never climbs this high, so observers typically see about half as many meteors. The radiant reaches its greatest elevation between 3 and 4 A.M. local daylight time.

A second stream of Delta Aquarids, the northern branch, also is active in late July and much of August. It peaks at the end of August's first week, so moonlight interferes with it significantly.

http://news.kalmbach.com/news/images/asy_sm070706_06.JPG

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