Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower viewing spots
“Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?” Well, this July, you might not have to pretend.
The Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower is happening, and yes, there’s a chance you’ll be able to catch it right here in Singapore. But of course, you won’t be stargazing in the middle of the desert, so you’ll want to find a more open spot away from the usual glare.
Here’s what to know about the meteor shower, plus some places around Singapore where you can try your luck at spotting it.
What’s the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower?
Image credit: NASA
The Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower is an annual meteor shower that happens when Earth passes through a stream of space debris left behind by a comet-like parent body.
Picture this: tiny bits of rock and ice entering Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burning up, creating those bright streaks we commonly call “shooting stars”.
Image credit: Preston Dyches via NASA
This specific shower gets its name from the constellation Aquarius, as its radiant point appears near a star called Delta Aquarii. That means the meteors seem to come from that part of the sky, even though they can appear across a wider area.
Meteor showers happen every year when Earth’s orbit crosses these dusty trails left behind by comets or asteroids. The denser the debris cloud, the more meteors we may get to see – assuming that it isn’t cloudy.
When will the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower be happening?
No, you do not need a telescope to see the meteor shower.
This year, the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower is expected to peak around 29th-30th July. In Singapore, the best time to catch it is usually after midnight till just before dawn, when the radiant point in Aquarius is higher above the horizon.
For the best chance of seeing meteors, try looking up between 2am and 5.30am. Under dark skies, observers may see up to 25 meteors per hour during the peak. That said, actual numbers in Singapore will likely be lower due to light pollution and weather conditions. The peak also coincides with a full moon on 29th July, so the moon’s brightness may make fainter meteors harder to spot.
Where to see the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower in SG
For the best chance of spotting the Southern Delta Aquariids, look for a darker spot with minimal artificial lighting and a clear, open view of the sky. You won’t need any special equipment – just give your eyes about 20-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Additionally, try not to stare at your phone in between.
Image credit: Alastair Pang
The Science Centre Observatory has suggested these possible viewing spots in Singapore:
- East Coast Park
- Changi Beach Park
- West Coast Park
- Marina Barrage
- Southern Ridges
Once you’re there, lie back and take in as wide a view of the sky as possible. The meteors may appear across different parts of the sky, so you don’t have to focus only on Aquarius. As long as the weather holds up and the skies are clear, you might just catch a few streaks overhead.
Image credit: Ronald Tagra via Adventures Unlimited
If you want the full uninterrupted experience, you can also check out some dark sky reserves near Singapore, such as Endau-Rompin National Park in the state of Johor.
Catch the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower this July
If the skies are clear, the Southern Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower could be a nice excuse to head outdoors after midnight and slow down for a bit. At the very least, it’s a good reason to stop doomscrolling, go touch grass, and look up at stars instead of everyone else’s IG stories.
More things to do in Singapore after dark:
Cover image adapted from: Preston Dyches via NASA & Alastair Pang