by Here’s your guide to July 2025 meteor showers in Vermont—complete with prime viewing locations, peak times, and rain‑date backups to help you catch every shooting star under the Green Mountain skies.
Southern Delta Aquariids
- Active: July 18 – August 21
- Peak: Night of July 29–30, around 21 UTC (~5 p.m. EDT)
- Rate: ~15–20 meteors/hour in dark skies
- Best Viewing: Late evening through dawn; radiant in Aquarius, visible low in the southern sky
- Top Vermont Spots:
- South Lincoln / Hancock (Green Mountain NF): Widely recommended by local stargazers
- Lake Willoughby (Willoughby State Forest): Minimal light pollution, open skies
- Mount Philo State Park: Elevated viewpoint over Lake Champlain
- Rain-Date: Early August (July 30–Aug 2) if clouds appear
Alpha Capricornids
- Active: July 12 – August 12
- Peak: Night of July 29–30 (plateau-style peak)
- Rate: ~5 meteors/hour with occasional bright fireballs
- Best Viewing: Pre‑dawn (~1 a.m. EDT), radiant in Capricornus, low in the southern sky
- Viewing Spots: Same as Southern Delta Aquariids
- Rain-Date: July 31–August 2
July Pegasids
- Active: July 4 – August 8
- Peak: Around July 11, ZHR ~5
- Best Viewing: After midnight; radiant near Pegasus (east–northeast)
- Vermont Spots:
- Bomoseen State Park: West-central, away from city lights
- Hubbardton / Northeast Kingdom parks: Remote, dark-sky friendly
Early Perseids
- Active: July 17 – August 23
- Visibility: Increases in late July; full peak is August 12–13
- Best Viewing: Pre‑dawn; radiant in Perseus (northeast)
- Great Spots:
- Mount Philo, Willoughby Forest, or Bomoseen, all offering clear northern horizons
- Rain-Date: July 25–29
Meteor Shower Summary
| Shower | Peak Night(s) | Best Time | Radiant Direction | Top VT Locations | Backup Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Delta Aquariids | July 29–30 | Midnight–Dawn | Aquarius (S) | South Lincoln, Mount Philo, Lake Willoughby | July 30–Aug 2 |
| Alpha Capricornids | July 29–30 | ~1 a.m. Prelude | Capricornus (S) | Same locations | July 31–Aug 2 |
| July Pegasids | ~July 11 | After midnight | Pegasus (E/NE) | Bomoseen, Hubbardton/Northeast Kingdom parks | July 10–13 |
| Early Perseids | Late July onward | Pre‑dawn | Perseus (NE) | Mount Philo, Willoughby, Bomoseen | July 25–29 |
Final Take
The best meteor-watching window in Vermont is July 29–30, featuring both the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids under dark skies. With backup dates and early chances to catch the Pegasids or early Perseids, sky lovers have plenty of opportunities. Venture to places like South Lincoln, Mount Philo, or Lake Willoughby, pack a blanket, and let Vermont’s night sky dazzle you.
