Best viewed: 28-29th July 2022
The Alpha Capricornids don’t produce many meteors but they’re well known for producing spectacular fireballs!
Alpha Capricornid Meteor Shower
The Alpha Capricornid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through debris left by the comet 169P/NEAT, which orbits the sun. This debris burns up in our atmosphere, creating the meteor shower known as the Alpha Capricornids.
At its peak, the Alpha Capricornids produce around 5 meteors per hour. However, these meteors are usually very bright and can often become fireballs.
Best Viewing Time in 2022
- Optimal Time: Early hours of Friday, July 29th, before dawn.
- Viewing Conditions: Excellent in 2022 due to a completely dark moon on July 29th.
- Activity Period: The Alpha Capricornids are visible from July 3rd to August 15th, with peak activity on July 29th.
Viewing Tips from the UK
You don’t need special equipment to see the Alpha Capricornid meteor shower from the UK, but some preparation helps.
- Check the Weather: Monitor the forecast. If cloudy, try watching on nights before the peak.
- Find a Dark Spot: Choose a safe, dark location with an unobstructed view of the sky, away from buildings, trees, and lights. The Alpha Capricornids can appear anywhere in the sky, so the broader your view, the better.
- Adjust Your Eyes: Turn off all lights, including phones and torches, for 15 minutes to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Use a red filter on your torch if necessary.
- Stay Comfortable: Dress warmly and bring a reclining chair. Since the Alpha Capricornid shower produces relatively few meteors, refreshments can enhance your experience.
By following these tips and understanding more about the Alpha Capricornids, you can enjoy one of the summer’s fascinating astronomical events.
If you are planning to take pictures of meteors, Mary McIntyre has some very useful tips for you on how to take better meteor pictures.
Another great way to watch the Lyrids is to buy or build yourself a meteor camera. You’ll be able to create amazing time lapse videos like the one below and join the UK network of 170 meteor cameras. You don’t need any previous experience and it’s a great project to do with your kids or students!
Fun facts about the Alpha Capricornid meteor shower
- They’re called the Alpha Capricornids because the meteors seem to come from the constellation of Capricorn. However, they’re actually caused by the Earth crashing into debris left behind by the comet 169P/NEAT.
- Astronomers estimate that the meteor shower was created about 3,500 to 5,000 years ago, when half of the comet disintegrated into dust.
- Most of this dust will not be in Earth’s path until the 24th century, when the Alpha Capricornids are expected to become an annual meteor shower stronger than any current meteor shower.