Delta Aquariids, Alpha Capricornids Peak: When To See From Napa Valley

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Fans of meteor showers have a doubleheader this week with two shooting star shows—the Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids—peaking early Tuesday and Wednesday, depending on weather conditions in Napa Valley.

AccuWeather forecasts mainly clear skies over Napa Valley for Monday night and partly cloudy skies early Tuesday. The forecast is similar for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, so it is safe to say the best time for meteor viewing is before 2 a.m. both nights.

The Delta Aquariids are expected to be the MVP in this shooting star show doubleheader. Under a dark sky, about 15 or 20 meteors an hour are visible. After peaking at 1:16 a.m. Tuesday, the Delta Aquariids will stay visible until Aug. 21.

The Alpha Capricornids, which peak late Tuesday and early Wednesday of this week, produce about five meteors an hour at their “plateau-like” peak and remain active until Aug. 15.

Perseid meteors are flying, too. The annual summertime favorite started in mid-July and is usually a prolific meteor shower, producing anywhere from 50 to 100 hours at the peak, which occurs Aug. 11-12 this year. This show, in particular, is known for producing fireballs — larger explosions of light and color that are brighter than typical meteors and whose “tails” last longer than typical meteor streaks.

The Perseids don’t have the market cornered on their potential to dazzle skygazers. University of Warwick astronomer Don Pollacco told The Associated Press that the Alpha Capricornids often produce very bright meteors.

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For meteor shower lovers, “one bright one is worth 20 faint ones,” he said.