Delta Aquarid Metor Shower is at it’s peak this week

As was proof this past week, the Massachusetts area has seen some beautiful and bright meteor showers recently. Tonight and tomorrow are peak times for a certain meteor shower.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Delta Aquarid is at its peak the next two days. The best time to get a look at this particular meteor shower is predawn. Looking south is best. The Almanac states that in a moonless rural sky, you could see about 10 meteors an hour.

Here are some watching tips from The Farmer’s Almanac

For everyone, weather conditions and light pollution are the only reasons you can not see the showers. The sky needs to be dark and clear, away from all the city lights. Bright moonlight, within a few days of a full Moon, will also reduce the number of meteors that you will see.

Where to look? The best place to start is between the radiant and the zenith (straight above you).

Note that the “best” viewing times are usually predawn and late evening. In nearly all showers, the radiant is highest just before dawn.

Starting around midnight, your location on the globe spins around to the forward-facing half of Earth (in relation to the direction of orbit). At dawn, your location on the globe directly faces the direction in which Earth is traveling along its orbit. So between midnight and dawn, you’ll be viewing the meteors head-on, for a more frequent display.

You don’t need any special equipment. In fact, binoculars do not work for meteor showers. The naked eye is best.

Spread a blanket on the ground and look up into the dark night sky.