by Ohio stargazers can look forward to several meteor showers lighting up the night sky in July 2025. The most noteworthy are the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids, which overlap around July’s end. Plus, the annual Perseid shower begins its run in mid-July. Here’s what to expect:
Key Meteor Showers This Month:
- Southern Delta Aquariids
- Active: July 12 – August 21
- Peak Viewing: Around July 30 (UTC July 30–31)
- Meteors per hour: ~15–20 under dark skies
- Best time: Between midnight and 4 a.m., radiant low in southern sky (~45° elevation)
- Alpha Capricornids
- Active: July 3 – August 15
- Peak Viewing: July 30–31
- Meteors per hour: ~5, but known for bright fireballs
- Best time: Pre‑dawn (around 1 a.m.)
- Perseids (preview in July)
- Active: July 17 – August 23
- Best viewing time in July: July 18–28 (moon is between last quarter and new)
- Meteor rate: up to 50–75 per hour (peak in August)
- Radiant: Constellation Perseus (appears across the sky)
How and Where to Watch in Ohio:
- Find a dark, rural location away from city lights for optimal viewing.
- Best hours: Between midnight and pre-dawn (~4 a.m.), when activity peaks.
- Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes.
- Bring essentials: A reclining chair or blanket, insect repellent, and warm layers.
- Plan for the moon phase: Aim for around July 30, when a 36% Full Moon sets early, giving darker skies
July offers a rare opportunity, with two concurrent meteor showers boosting chances to catch bright fireballs amid the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids. While August brings the famed Perseids, late July offers clear sky previews and early sightings of these summer treasures.
Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and casual skywatchers alike, Ohio nights in July promise magical shooting-star moments.
