SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Two meteor showers, including one known for its dramatic fireballs, are set to streak across Singapore’s night sky in late July and mid-August if weather conditions allow.
The Delta Aquariids and the Perseids, both annual occurrences, could be visible over the next few weeks, said The Observatory at Science Centre Singapore.
The Delta Aquariids, which peak around July 30, originate from Comet 96P/Machholz and appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius.
The comet was discovered in 1986 by American amateur astronomer Donald Machholz, a prolific comet hunter with more than a dozen discoveries to his name.
Though not known for high meteor counts, the Delta Aquariids produce a steady stream of two to five meteors per hour, flashing into view at speeds of 40km per second. Some may leave glowing trails of gas in the sky.
If cloud cover obscures the meteor shower as it peaks, stargazers may still see Saturn in the east after 11pm, according to the observatory.
The Perseids – one of the best and most anticipated meteor showers of the year – will peak on the nights of Aug 12 and 13. It is best viewed during the pre-dawn hours between 3am and 6.45am, says the observatory.
The Perseids are known for their high activity rate and fireballs, which leave a long glowing trail of light and colour across the sky. Under ideal conditions, up to 100 meteors may be seen in an hour.
However, the 2025 Perseids may be harder to spot, as moonlight from a waning gibbous moon – a bright phase between a full and half moon – could outshine the meteors.
The moon will also be near the radiant point, which is the area in the sky from where the meteors appear to emerge, making them less visible, according to the observatory.
Both showers return each year as the Earth passes through dusty trails left behind by ancient comets.
No special equipment is needed to view the meteor showers. The best views are expected from dark, open areas such as parks, beaches or reservoirs.
The observatory will not hold special viewing events for either shower, but its regular Friday night stargazing sessions will continue. These offer telescope views of stars and planets to the public.
More details are available at science.edu.sg.
