Photo: ChinaImages/Depositphotos

Stargazers, rejoice! A rare supermoon will appear in the night sky in a matter of days. Scientists forecast that this will the brightest and biggest of 2024 so far. And as if that wasn't enough, the upcoming August full moon is also a blue moon—creating the extraordinary combo of a supermoon blue moon.

But what does a supermoon blue moon mean exactly? Well, “supermoon” is a term that was first coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, and it means “either a new or full moon that occurs when the Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth.” Given that we can't really see new moons, the ones that get us gawking at the sky are the supermoons that take place when the Moon is full. The upcoming August full moon will appear 30% brighter and 14% larger than usual, although light pollution can steal a bit of the Moon's gleam.

And it being a blue moon doesn't mean that it will appear blue. It's actually just the name for the third full moon in a season that has four full moons. This is the definition that applies to the August full moon, but the term has also been used since the 1940s to refer to the second full moon in a month that has two full moons.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the August full moon, also known as the Sturgeon moon, make sure to look up on the upcoming nights. The Moon will reach its zenith at 2:26 p.m. ET on Monday, August 19, 2024. While it will be on the other side of the world from the U.S. when that happens, the Moon will appear full and bright for three days, from Sunday morning through early Wednesday morning.

In case you miss this supermoon, you'll get three more chances before the year ends. The next scheduled supermoons will take place on September 18, October 17, and November 15. For the best experience, make sure to look up shortly after moonrise and before moonset, as this is when the Moon is closest to the horizon, which makes it appear bigger. It's not that its size changes—the human brain “sees” it that way when it compares it to trees, buildings, and other objects in our field of view. Still, it's sure to take your breath away.

A rare supermoon blue moon will appear in the night sky in a matter of days.

Photo: mandritoiu/Depositphotos

The upcoming August full moon will appear 30% brighter and 14% larger than usual, although light pollution can steal a bit of the moon's gleam.

Photo: mathiaspabst/Depositphotos

The Moon will reach its zenith at 2:26 p.m. ET on Monday, August 19, but it will appear full and bright for three days, from Sunday morning through early Wednesday morning.

Photo: PhotographyTTL/Depositphotos

h/t: [NASA]

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Photo: Mic1805/Depositphotos

We typically think of Mars as dry, desolate, and rocky but many scientists believe that the Red Planet once had lakes, rivers, and possibly oceans. Earlier this year, scientists uncovered vast ice deposits on Mars, but a new breakthrough reveals—for the first time—that there may be a lot more water hidden beneath the planet's surface.

These exciting findings—published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences—stem from data gathered by NASA’s InSight Lander. Although the lander is no longer active, scientists continue to analyze the data it collected on Mars between 2018 and 2022.

The InSight Lander, equipped with a seismometer, recorded vibrations—or marsquakes—from deep within the Red Planet. The recently discovered “seismic signals,” indicate the presence of a reservoir of water believed to be 11.5 to 20 kilometers (7 miles to 12 miles) beneath the planet’s surface, within its rocky mid-crust.

Mars likely lost its surface water as its atmosphere thinned over time, leaving the planet a dry and dusty landscape as we know it today. Scientists suggest that much of this ancient water either dissipated into space or remains hidden underground.

If InSight's location at Elysium Planitia, near Mars’ equator, reflects conditions across the rest of the Red Planet, the underground water could be enough to fill a Martian ocean 1 to 2 kilometers (0.6 to 1.24 miles) deep. This major discovery sheds light on how Mars might have been more than 3 billion years ago, and even suggests the potential for past or present Martian life. However, further investigation is needed to confirm the presence of the water.

Still, this new discovery is a big step forward for researchers. We’re now closer than ever to uncovering the secrets of Mars and gaining deeper insights into its history and future potential.

Scientists Vashan Wright, Matthias Morzfeld, and Michael Manga write in their report, “Our results have implications for understanding Mars’ water cycle, determining the fates of past surface water, searching for past or extant life, and assessing in situ resource utilization for future missions.”

New research shows that there may be a huge reservoir of water beneath Mars’ surface.

The discovery is based on data collected by NASA’s InSight Lander, which recorded seismic signals from deep within the Red Planet.

h/t: [BBC]

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Composite Crab Nebula image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Schmidt, K. Arcand, L. Frattare)

NASA launched the Chandra X-ray Observatory in 1999 to capture photos of high-energy regions of the universe, including exploding stars and other celestial marvels. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its launch, NASA just released 25 never-before-seen photographs captured by Chandra, which show dazzling scenes from some of the furthest reaches of space.

“For a quarter century, Chandra has made discovery after amazing discovery,” shares Pat Slane, director of the Chandra X-ray Center located at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “Astronomers have used Chandra to investigate mysteries that we didn’t even know about when we were building the telescope—including exoplanets and dark energy.”

Under Chandra's X-ray and infrared cameras, spacial anomalies can be illuminated in glorious shades of red, blue, and purple. The space telescope is particularly good at capturing images of young stars and remnants of supernovas, as both of these phenomena produce large amounts of X-rays. This has made for some truly incredible photographs of huge stars at the start or end of their lives and has provided scientists with valuable information about some of the youngest stars in our vicinity.

The photo gallery features iconic sights from space, including the Pillars of Creation, as well as locations in our very own Milky Way. One of the images prominently features the Cat's Paw Nebula, where red and purple clouds envelop stars that are actively being created in our galaxy. It also captured an impressive picture of Jupiter, photographed from a distance with its aurora highlighted in vivid purple around the north and south poles of the planet.

Another fascinating phenomenon captured by Chandra is the Crab Nebula, which features a blindingly white pulsar star surrounded by a bright purple cloud. The supernova explosion that formed the nebula was witnessed in 1054 A.D. by astronomers who documented the event. Now, thanks to Chandra, nearly a thousand years later inquisitive minds are able to see the remains of that event.

You can visit the photo gallery to view all of the images and scroll down to see some of our favorites. For the most stunning photographs, be sure to check out the composites, where X-ray and infrared images have been layered on top of one another for the most impressive displays of light and color.

In honor of the Chandra X-ray Observatory's 25th launch anniversary, NASA released 25 never-seen photographs taken by the space telescope.

Here are some of our favorite photographs from the exceptional collection of images.

Composite NGC 1365 image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, L. Frattare, J. Major)

Composite NGC 3324 image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, N. Wolk)

Composite Bat Shadow image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Schmidt, K. Arcand, L. Frattare)

Composite Cat's Paw Nebula image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Major)

Composite NGC 3532 image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Major)

Composite MSH 15-52 image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Schmidt)

It features iconic sights from around our universe and solar system.

Composite Pillars of Creation image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, L. Frattare)

Composite Cassiopeia A image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Schmidt, K. Arcand, J. Major)

Composite Jupiter image. (Photo: Chandra, NASA, ESA, CXC, SAO, J. Major, S. Wolk)

Chandra X-Ray Observatory: Website | Facebook | YouTube

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For astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), living in zero gravity is challenging enough while awake, but have you ever wondered how they manage to sleep? American astronaut Sunita (Suni) L. Williams shared a fun video tour of the ISS, showing us exactly how astronauts catch their Zs in space.

Williams became a NASA astronaut in 1998 and is currently on her third mission aboard the International Space Station. The video shared in 2012 is from her time as a commander of Expedition 33. She showcases Node 2, also known as Harmony, which is the “utility hub” of the International Space Station. It’s where four of the six crew members sleep in individual sleeping cabins.

“People always ask about sleeping in space,” Williams says in the video. “You don’t really have the sensation of laying down. You just sit in your sleeping bag.” As she floats into one of the sleeping cabins, she explains that each one is “sort of like a little phone booth.” Inside, there's a sleeping bag that keeps the astronauts in  one spot so they don’t “fly all over the place.” There’s also a computer, books, clothes, and “other things that make it sort of like home.” Williams explains that you can sleep in any orientation. “I don’t have any sensation in my head that tells me I’m upside down,” she says. “So it really doesn’t matter.”

Williams is currently serving as the co-pilot of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Launched June 5, 2024, the crew was originally expected to spend about eight days in space, but technical issues have resulted in them being on the craft for over 50 days. However, Williams, commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore, and the other crew members are doing everything they can to remain calm and find a way to land safely back on Earth.

There are rumors about a contingency plan for Williams and Wilmore to hop aboard a commercial crew flight back to Earth with the SpaceX Dragon Crew, who plan to launch to the ISS next month. But for now, NASA still hopes to have the pair return on Starliner.

“I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem,” Williams revealed. “We’re learning now to optimize our specific situation and make sure that we know everything about it.”

Watch Williams’ video tour below.

American astronaut Suni Williams reveals how she and her crew members do ordinary things in space including how astronauts sleep on the International Space Station.

This tour, given nearly 12 years ago, recently went viral on Reddit with many commenters weighing in with their opinions on the bizarre living conditions.

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Check out the whole 9-minute video to see how astronauts store their food, brush their teeth, and use the bathroom, too!

h/t: [BeAmazed, NPR]

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Photo: Atlantic Records via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

On July 12, “The Rain (Super Dupa Fly)” by Missy Elliott became the second song to be transmitted into space, following The Beatles' “Across the Universe” transmission in 2008. With the help of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the hip-hop track was beamed across 158 million miles to Elliott's favorite planet, Venus, in 14 minutes.

Brittany Brown, the director of digital and technological communication, originally pitched the idea to Elliott's team. In NASA's announcement, she explains that the collaboration was inspired by Missy Elliott's frequent use of space imagery. Elliott's music videos often feature futuristic themes with a cyberpunk-like aesthetic. This style also extends to her latest tour, “Out Of This World,” which has a surrealist spacecraft-inspired atmosphere. She often wears metallic fabrics and bold colors while performing, reflecting a combination of retro and new-world styles.

“The Rain” was transmitted at the speed of light through the Deep Space Network (DSN), giant radio antennas used for missions around Earth and with other planets. From a radio dish near Barstow, California, the DSN used large antennas typically employed to track spacecrafts, send commands, and receive data. Additionally, the DSN is capable of communicating with spacecrafts that range in distance from a few thousand kilometers away to beyond the solar system. This advanced technology made it possible to send Missy Elliott's song to Venus precisely and quickly.

The broadcasted song, which contains a sample of Ann Peebles' 1973 single “I Can't Stand the Rain,” was written and composed by Don Bryant, Bernard Miller, Missy Elliott, and producer Timbaland for her debut album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. Elliott received two Grammy Award nominations for the album: Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).”

NASA's choice of Missy Elliott—who recently became the first female hip-hop artist in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—may have been influenced by more than just her futuristic branding. The artist has produced revolutionary songs addressing topics such as feminism, gender equality, and sex and body positivity, making her a pioneer for a new generation of female artists.

While it's unclear why NASA has chosen to transmit a song after over a decade, since the transmission of the Beatles “Across the Universe” to North Star, Polaris, the decision to send Elliott's hit song into space reflects the organization's commitment to blend culture and science. Elliott's innovative and creative work as an artist aligns with NASA's goal of bringing artistic expression into space exploration.

On July 12, NASA transmitted Missy Elliott’s hit song “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” to Venus, making it the second song to ever be sent into space.

Supa-flying to Venus!

For the first time, a hip-hop song was transmitted #OutOfThisWorld. @MissyElliott‘s “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” traveled 158 million miles to Venus through NASA's Deep Space Network from @NASAJPL‘s Deep Space Station 13 in California: https://t.co/Gg5ibm80hb pic.twitter.com/BwsdTNNqCv

— NASA (@NASA) July 15, 2024

YOOO this is crazy! We just went #OutOfThisWorld with @NASA and sent the FIRST hip hop song into space through the Deep Space Network. My song “The Rain” has officially been transmitted all the way to Venus, the planet that symbolizes strength, beauty and empowerment. The sky is… pic.twitter.com/g6HofNQSt1

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) July 15, 2024

Elliott’s music often features space-themed imagery and a futuristic aesthetic, making her a fitting choice for a collaboration that blends culture with space exploration.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Missy Elliott (@missymisdemeanorelliott)

Beyond creating innovative beats, the four-time Grammy Award-winning artist has made an impact with her music by addressing themes such as feminism and gender equality.

I’m just Waiting on that Spaceship to take y’all #OUTOFTHISWORLD it’s gone be crazzzzzzy facts#outofthisworldtour pic.twitter.com/xbsPFLcLZd

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) June 9, 2024

Elliott has an influential role in shaping contemporary music by inspiring a new generation of artists and creating cultural milestones, including her recent achievement of having her work reach outer space.

OH SNAPWe bout to go #OUTOFTHISWORLD on this tour 4real tho! The ENERGY gone be through the ROOF! Look up in the sky & see where the SPACESHIP gonna land next @ciara @BustaRhymes @Timbaland https://t.co/f6wE0hldEQ pic.twitter.com/eovTLnUfoL

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) May 13, 2024

Missy Elliott: Website | Instagram | X
h/t: [IFL Science]

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READ: From Earth to Venus: NASA Sends Missy Elliott’s Hit Song ‘The Rain’ Into Space

Perseid Meteor Shower as seen in 2017 from Egypt. (Photo: Ahmed abd elkader mohamed via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Summer is a prime time for meteor watching.The weather is great, the nights are warm, and the skies are putting on a show. As Earth enters the path of debris fields in space, the debris hits our atmosphere. The hot rocks burn up as they pass through our atmosphere, creating the trailing “shooting stars” that we see from Earth. A meteor shower is a stunning celestial event, and there are plenty of chances for American viewers to catch the spectacle in summer 2024. Chief among these is the annual Perseid Meteor shower, which due to the lower moonlight expected this year, will be particularly visible and exciting.

The Perseids will begin in late July, amping up to a peak on August 11 and 12, before tailing off through August 18, 2024. At peak, observers will likely see between 50 and 100 meteors in an hour. For the week leading up to August 12, the Moon is at less than 50% brightness, allowing the shooting meteors to shine. Meteor enthusiasts should be sure to watch in pre-dawn darkness for the best viewing, and intrepid travelers can hope to catch especially amazing views from national parks including Grand Canyon National Park. (See a list of the top seven dark sky parks to view the event from on Outside.)

In case you miss the Perseids, there are other smaller meteor showers throughout the summer. From late July to late August 2024, according to Space.com, six meteor showers will occur, including the “Capricornids, Delta Aquarids, Piscis Australids, Alpha Capricornids, Iota Aquarids, and Kappa Cygnids.” So get outside and observe these incredible sights. The Perseids have been fascinating humans since at least 36 CE when they were first recorded by observers, and they are just as incredible in 2024.

In the second week of August 2024, observers can expect to see an especially impressive display of the Perseid Meteor shower.

The shower seen in summer 2010. (Photo: ESO/S. Guisard via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

The Moon will be at less than 50% brightness, making it a perfectly dark sky for the best viewing of “shooting stars.”

The meteor shower in 2007. (Photo: Brocken Inaglory via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

h/t: [Space]

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Photo:NASA/Goddard/ASU

As beautiful as the Moon is, its surface is not especially hospitable to humans. Temperatures at the equator range from 250°F (121°C) during the day to -208°F (-133°C) after dark. Add in micrometeorites and high levels of radiation and it seems unlikely that astronauts will ever spend extended periods of time on the Moon’s surface. However, according to a new study published in Nature, the first confirmed lunar cave has been identified and could eventually be a base camp for astronauts on long-term missions.

Scientists have been theorizing about lunar caves for at least 50 years. In 2009, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)  launched in order to make a 3D map of the Moon. It gathered evidence in 2010 of very deep pits, including one on the Sea of Tranquility, near where Apollo 11 landed in 1969.

The radar imaging of this 300-foot-wide pit has now been reanalyzed using new signal processing techniques. As a result, University of Trento scientists Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer determined the pit is indeed an opening to a cave that is as long as 14 tennis courts and 130 feet wide.

Photo: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

Despite its promising structure, getting in and out of the cave might be tricky. It's nearly a completely vertical slope down, and it's 410 feet below the surface on the west side. On the east side, it's even deeper at 443 feet. As Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration researcher Robert Wagner explained to The Guardian, “Getting into that pit requires descending 125 meters before you reach the floor, and the rim is a steep slope of loose debris where any movement will send little avalanches down on to anyone below. It’s certainly possible to get in and out, but it will take a significant amount of infrastructure.”

Scientists are hoping this is just the first of many caves to be discovered as the LRO has already identified over 200 lunar pits. The confirmed lunar cave, along with other pits, are thought to be the result of lava tubes formed from volcanic activity that occurred billions of year ago. Not only could caves be vital to future long-term missions in terms of shelter, they may also contain ice and be a source of water. Study author Carrer notes, “After all, life on Earth began in caves, so it makes sense that humans could live inside them on the Moon.”

The research implications of having access to lunar caves would also be wide-reaching. The geological record from inside the caves will provide billions of years of information. This data would aide researchers in understanding both volcanoes and the formation of the Moon.

“It’s really exciting,” Carrer says. “When you make these discoveries and you look at these images, you realize you’re the first person in the history of humanity to see it.”

While lunar caves have been theorized about for half a century, researchers have recently confirmed the existence of one on the Sea of Tranquility.

One of many large pit craters so far found on the Moon — do these pits provide access to open lava tubes? Image is 1170 meters wide. (Photo:NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)

This is a spectacular high-Sun view of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit crater revealing boulders on an otherwise smooth floor. This image from LRO’s Narrow Angle Camera is 400 meters (1,312 feet) wide, north is up.
(Photo: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University)

The lunar cave is thought to be a lava tube cave that is the result of volcanic activity billions of years ago.

This image was taken in August 2019 inside a lava tube near Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, where scientists had come to study the microbes and minerals that could reveal insights about similar extra-terrestial environments. (Photo:NASA/Goddard)

h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

All images via NASA.

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Since 1992, when the first exoplanet was confirmed, over 6,600 have been discovered in 4,868 planetary systems. Inspired by these discoveries, Slovakian artist and designer Martin Vargic has created two visual representations that are aesthetically beautiful and scientifically fascinating.

One infographic, the Exoplanet Zoo, shows over 1,100 known exoplanets arranged by the amount of heat they receive from their relative stars. The other, Icy and Rocky Worlds, sorts nearly 900 known exoplanets that are confirmed or thought to be rocky or terrestrial by the heat they receive.

While he took some artistic liberties, such as the ring systems, the vast majority of the exoplanets' look and feel are anchored in science. Created using data from The Extrasolar Planet Encyclopaedia, NASA Exoplanet Archive, and ExoKyoto, each piece took Vargic six months to complete.

“I researched extensively on the possible coloration of exoplanets,” Vargic tells My Modern Met. “The appearances of giant planets on the graphic are based on the Sudarsky's scale and likely presence of different cloud or haze compounds at different temperatures, as well as existing exoplanet art.”

Both posters, which are on sale via Vargic's Halcyon Maps, offer plenty to enjoy. Some of the fascinating exoplanets included are WASP-12b, an exceedingly hot egg-shaped planet warped by its proximity to its star, and 55 Cancri e. This exoplanet is confirmed to have a lava ocean and an interior mainly composed of diamonds.

“I hope the infographics help people appreciate the sheer number and variety of exoplanets we already know of, just how few are comparatively found in the habitable zone, the sheer extremes of temperature distant exoplanets can be found at, and perhaps inspire them to pursue space and astronomy further,” shares Vargic. “Despite their scale, both infographics combined still portray only one-quarter of all exoplanets discovered so far!”

Scroll down to see more details from both of these incredible astronomy infographics.

Artist Martin Vargic has created infographics that explore the fascinating world of exoplanets.

He sorted nearly 2,000 exoplanets by temperature using data from several astronomical sources.

One infographic hones in on terrestrial and rocky planets.

Exoplanet Zoo and Icy and Rocky Worlds are available as posters on Vargic's Halcyon Maps.

Halcyon Maps: Website | Facebook | X

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Martin Vargic.

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Aganippe Fossa, the steep-walled canyon on Mars. (Photo: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)

Mars is known as the Red Planet for its color shining in the night sky, one planet over from our Earth. Although appearing like a warm desert in many satellite images, the planet is actually shockingly cold, a fact with which any human mission will eventually have to contend with. Space exploration has devoted a lot of time and effort to gathering information on the neighboring planet with satellites and rovers dedicated to it. One such satellite is the Mars Express orbiter operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). Onboard is a High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) which recently sent some exciting images of Aganippe Fossa, a 373-mile (600 km) “scar” on the surface of the planet back to Earth.

Aganippe Fossa is what is technically known as a graben, which ESA defines as “a ditch-like groove with steep walls on either side.” It stretches for an impressive 373 miles, longer than the 277-mile length of the United States' Grand Canyon.

Topographical images representing the relative altitudes of the surface of Mars show the depth (in blue) of the canyon. The red to the bottom left of the image (below) indicates the rising slope of Arsia Mons, a volcano rising 5.6 miles (9 km) above the planet's nearby surface. It is one of several volcanoes in this region of Mars, known as Tharsis.

Aganippe Fossa likely formed due to the region's volcanic activity. According to the ESA: “It seems likely that it was formed as magma rising underneath the colossal mass of the Tharsis volcanoes caused Mars’ crust to stretch and crack.”

As if the planet has a stretchmark, the Aganippe Fossa holds a story of change. It also traverses two wildly different lanscapes as shown in the images. The rough leftmost half is called “hummocky terrain,” rocky hills and valleys. This transitions into “lobate terrain” which features more gentle slopes and rocky features. To the far right are “zebra stripes” created by winds whipping sand into patterns.

While the Mars Express continues to explore, each image it sends back—like this new one of Aganippe Fossa—expands our knowledge of the Red Planet.

The ESA’s Mars Express captured a new highly detailed image of a deep 373-mile-long “scar,” a narrow canyon, on the surface of the red planet.

Aganippe Fossa's region shown in different colors to indicate altitude. “Lower altitude parts of the surface are shown in blues and purples, while higher altitude regions show up in whites and reds, as indicated on the scale to the top right,” according to the ESA. (Photo: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)

h/t: [Live Science]

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In this 30-second exposure, a meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Spruce Knob, West Virginia. (Photo: Bill Ingalls/NASA)

If you make a wish every time you spot a “shooting star,” July 30 will be a busy night for you. Two different meteor showers are scheduled to peak on that night. As a result, it will be possible to see a meteor every two minutes during the darkest hours. Especially if you live in southern latitudes, the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids will inspire even those with the shortest attention spans to keep their eyes on the sky.

The Delta Aquariids will be the source for most of the meteors. Up to 25 per hour will stud the sky in late July. The Alpha Capricornids will be less frequent. However, they'll be brighter and might even include some fireballs. “This shower is not very strong and rarely produces in excess of five shower members per hour,” writes the American Meteor Society. “What is notable about this shower is the number of bright fireballs produced during its activity period.”

The meteor showers' names are based on their radiant. This is the location in the sky where it appears they're originating to us on Earth. The Delta Aquariids will look like they are coming from the constellation Aquarius, specifically the bright star Delta Aquarii. Similarly, the Alpha Capricornids will appear to be originating from the star Alpha Capricorni. If you're into astrology, you'll know that Capricorn and Aquarius are next to each other. Hence, the overlap in peak dates being especially exciting since skywatchers won't be able to tell which meteors are which necessarily.

While they're named for stars, meteor showers are the result of debris from comets entering the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds and burning up. The Delta Aquariids originate from the 96P Machholz comet and the 169P/NEAT comet created the Alpha Capricornids. 

The Aquariid showers will be happening from July 18 through August 21. You can already catch a glimpse of the Capricornids which started on July 3 and will last until August 15. While it might be hard for those of us farther north in the Northern Hemisphere to catch a glimpse of the meteor showers, we'll have our turn with the Perseid meteor showers which peak in mid-August.

No matter which meteor shower you attempt to enjoy, make sure to leave city lights behind and allow half an hour for your eyes to adjust.

Two different meteor showers in the same part of the night sky will be peaking on July 30, 2024.

The Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which peaked in early May, was captured in this stunning image by astrophotographer Petr Horálek. It was taken near San Pedro de Atacama, a Chilean town about 50 km away from the Chajnantor observatory site, where APEX and ALMA, astronomical facilities co-owned by ESO, are located. The Eta Aquariids meteors are caused by leftover debris from Halley’s comet and make up the bright, arrow-like darts of light in the photo. (Photo: P. Horalek/European Southern Observatory, CC BY-NC-SA)

h/t: [Good News Network]

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READ: Two Meteor Showers Will Peak on the Same Night in the Same Region This Month