The highly-anticipated Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower has begun last July 12. Many are trying to witness falling meteors looking like dazzling fireballs in the night sky. However, there are some - especially those living in urban cities -- do not have the chance to see it vividly due to the bright lights and pollution.
With the high volume of requests, it was reported that NASA Marshall Space Flight Center would be live-streaming the astronomical event on July 29th at 10:00 PM EST. The schedule is said to be the time when Delta Aquarid has a high percentage of visibility as the moon has changed its phase to a new moon last July 26. This means that the meteors' radiance would not be overpowered by the moonlight.
Christian Today quoted NASA's statement, which read, "On the night of 29-30 July, a favorable new moon will help darken the skies for the 2014 Delta Aquarid meteor shower (the Southern Delta Aquarid). Although this is considered a minor meteor shower with projected peak rates at 15-20 meteors/hour, the darker skies will help even faint meteors shine more brightly."
You can check the live streaming of the astronomical event on UStream here.
Breathecast.com describes the Delta Aquarid as a "strong shower best seen from the southern tropics. North of the equator the radiant is located lower in the southern sky and therefore rates are less than seen from further south."
"The meteors produce good rates for a week centered on the night of maximum. These are usually faint meteors that lack both persistent trains and fireballs," the report continued.
It has also been stated that the Delta Aquarid usually exhibit 15-20 meteors up in the night sky, and the shooting stars' speed's average is 25.5 miles per second.
If watching it on the NASA Live Stream isn't enough, one would have a clear sighting of this beautiful natural phenomenon at dark, high-altitude places like mountains, hills, and anywhere away from highly-populated cities. In addition, it is preferable to stay 20 minutes in the dark so the eyes may adjust to the darkness.
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