Good news for stargazers: three different meteor showers will be visible in Wisconsin through August.
The Perseids, alpha Capricornids and Southern delta Aquariids are all currently active, with the latter two peaking on the same night in late July, according to the American Meteor Society.
Here’s what to know about each of the meteor showers, including how to best view them from Wisconsin:
When to see the Perseids meteor shower
Perhaps the most popular meteor shower, the Perseids are best viewed from the northern hemisphere in mid August. The shower gets its name from its proximity to the constellation Perseus.
Unfortunately for Perseids enthusiasts, the waning gibbous moon will coincide with the maximum activity period of the shower this year. That means only the brighter meteors will be visible and overall activity of the shower will drop by at least 75%, according to the American Meteor Society.
Here’s what else to know about the Perseids:
When to see the alpha Capricornids meteor shower
Though not a very strong shower, the alpha Capricornids are known for producing bright fireballs when they are active. You can see the shower equally well from both sides of the equator, according to the American Meteor Society.
Here’s what else to know about the alpha Capricornids:
When to see the Southern delta Aquariids meteor shower
The Southern delta Aquariids are best seen from the southern hemisphere, though you may still be able to spot them from Wisconsin. These meteors are relatively faint, without persistent trains or fireballs, but there will be solid chances of seeing this shower during the early morning hours this year.
Here’s what else to know about the Southern delta Aquariids:
Best places to view celestial events in Wisconsin
The best conditions to see the night sky will be with clear skies without clouds or haze. Make sure to check the forecast before heading out.
Here’s a list of places in Wisconsin that could offer some of the best views of the night sky:
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Three meteor showers are currently active. Here’s how to see them in Wisconsin
Reporting by Maia Pandey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
