KUSA - A rare black moon at the end of July is making for prime viewing of a couple of meteor showers: The Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower and the Perseid Meteor Shower.
The Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower is peaking now. It is not the most impressive shower to see in the night sky, but it will be visible through August 23rd. This shower produces around 25 meteors per hour, originating from the constellation Aquarius. Specifically the star, Skat.
If you have an app to help you navigate the starry night sky, you should be able to find it quickly. If you don't, just look to the south, southeast sky. Make sure you are away from city lights and give your eyes time to adjust. The meteors are coming from more than 100 light-years away. That creates an optical illusion that they are originating from this star.
The Perseid Meteor Shower has also started to make its annual appearance in our night sky. It's expected to peak from August 11th to the 13th.
The problem is, the moon will be full. The bright moon means you won't be able to see as many meteors. So, be watching now to catch those Perseid meteors!
We haven't seen a Black Moon since 2016. Similar to a "Blue Moon", the moon is called a "Black Moon" when it is the second new moon of the month. A Blue Moon is the second full moon of the month.
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