July 18 – August 21 · Aquarius
Southern Delta Aquariids
A steady stream through late July
See the Southern Delta Aquariids from your location
See the exact local peak time and how high the radiant climbs from where you are.
What is the Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower?
A dependable trickle of faint meteors through late July, best from the Southern Hemisphere and southern tropics. It overlaps with the building Perseids, so a single July night can show meteors from two showers at once.
When do the Southern Delta Aquariids peak in 2026?
The Southern Delta Aquariids peak on the night of July 30, 2026. Under ideal dark skies with the radiant high overhead they can produce up to 25 meteors an hour — the number you'll actually see depends on your latitude, the moon, and how dark your sky is.
Southern Delta Aquariids at a glance
Where the Southern Delta Aquariids come from
The Southern Delta Aquariids are debris shed by 96P/Machholz, a comet. Each year the Earth ploughs through this ancient trail of dust and the specks burn up in our atmosphere as meteors.
How to watch the Southern Delta Aquariids
Get away from city lights
Light pollution is the enemy. A dark rural sky can turn a handful of meteors into dozens.
Look up after midnight
Most showers are best between midnight and dawn, when your side of Earth turns to face the debris stream head-on.
Let your eyes adapt
Give your eyes 20 minutes in the dark and put the phone away. Then just watch — meteors can streak across any part of the sky.
Common questions about the Southern Delta Aquariids
When do the Southern Delta Aquariids peak in 2026?+
The Southern Delta Aquariids reach their maximum on the night of July 30, 2026, though a few meteors are visible from July 18 – August 21.
Where should I look to see the Southern Delta Aquariids?+
The meteors radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but they streak across the whole sky — you don't need to find the radiant. Just face the darkest part of your sky and take in as much of it as you can.
Do I need a telescope to watch the Southern Delta Aquariids?+
No. Meteor showers are a naked-eye event — a telescope's narrow view would only work against you. All you need is a dark sky, a reclining chair, and some patience.
What causes the Southern Delta Aquariids?+
The Southern Delta Aquariids happen when Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by 96P/Machholz. The dust grains hit our atmosphere at 41 km/s and burn up as bright streaks of light.
Other meteor showers
Never miss a shower again
Get a push alert the evening a shower peaks over your city — and only when the sky is actually clear. Free.