Three Meteor Shower Peaks Expected in Late July

Stargazers can anticipate a celestial spectacle in late July with three significant meteor shower peaks gracing the night sky. Avivah Yamani, an astronomy enthusiast from the South Sky Community in Bandung, noted that the planet Venus will appear close to the star Regulus after sunset.

The Piscis Austrinid meteor shower is set to reach its zenith on July 28-29, offering a display of up to five meteors per hour. This shower, which began on July 15 and will continue until August 10, appears to originate from the Piscis Austrinus constellation and travels at approximately 35 kilometers per second.

Following closely, the Delta Aquarid South and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers will peak on July 30-31. The Delta Aquarid shower is expected to be more active, with around 25 meteors per hour streaking across the sky at speeds of 41 kilometers per second. The Alpha Capricornid shower typically produces about five meteors per hour, often appearing as bright fireballs.

Beyond the meteor showers, several planets will be visible. Mercury can be seen in the west after sunset during the first week of July. Venus will shine brightly in the west, resembling a brilliant evening star. Jupiter will also be visible, appearing close to the Moon around mid-July. Mars and Saturn will rise in the east before dawn, while Uranus and Neptune will require telescopic assistance due to their faintness.

July also features significant lunar events. A new moon occurs on July 14, coinciding with the Moon's closest approach to Earth (perigee) at 359,112 kilometers. The Moon's farthest point from Earth (apogee) will be on July 25, at a distance of 406,265 kilometers. A second full moon, known as a Blue Moon, will appear on July 29. Additionally, Earth will be at its farthest point from the Sun (aphelion) on July 7, approximately 152.5 million kilometers away.