The Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower is peaking and the Perseids are already active, which means prime summer stargazing season is in full swing. 

According to the International Meteor Organization (IMO), the Southern Delta Aquariids are active from mid-July through late August with maximum activity around July 30-31. The Perseids will peak on August 12-13. The overlapping activity makes late July to mid-August one of the best times of the year for skywatching.

Why is late July a prime time for meteor watching?

Meteor showers happen when Earth passes through dust and debris left behind by comets or asteroids. As these tiny particles – often no larger than grains of sand – enter the atmosphere at tremendous speeds, friction heats them until they vaporize, producing the bright streaks known as "shooting stars."

Late July and August are particularly rich in meteor activity because Earth's orbit intersects several meteoroid streams in a short period. The Southern Delta Aquariids originate from material believed to be associated with Comet 96P/Machholz, while the Perseids are produced by debris from Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle.

Because multiple showers overlap, observers may spot multiple meteors on the same night.

The Southern Delta Aquariids typically produce up to about 20-25 meteors per hour under ideal dark-sky conditions. They're relatively faint and fast-moving, best viewed from tropical and southern latitudes, although observers across much of the Northern Hemisphere can also catch the display after midnight when the radiant climbs higher in the southern sky.

The Perseids, by contrast, are among the brightest and most reliable annual meteor showers, producing 50 to more than 100 meteors per hour at peak. Known for high speed, brilliant fireballs and persistent glowing trails, they're a favorite among amateur astronomers and photographers.

For optimal viewing

- Choose a dark spot away from city lights.

- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust.

- The hours between midnight and dawn are usually the most productive, as the observer's side of Earth faces the direction of its orbital motion, increasing the number of visible meteors.

Weather matters too. Clear skies, low humidity and minimal light pollution make a huge difference. Even during a peak, actual meteor counts vary depending on local conditions.

A season of celestial highlights

Summer also offers some of the year's finest opportunities to trace constellations across the night sky. Scorpius, Sagittarius and the Summer Triangle dominate evening skies across the Northern Hemisphere, while the Milky Way stretches overhead in dark locations.

Astronomers say the succession of meteor showers, warmer nights and longer observing hours makes late July through August one of the most rewarding periods for both experienced stargazers and first-timers.

(With input from agencies)