alpha-Capricornids Meteor Shower: Observation Timings and Tips
alpha-Capricornids Visibility on August 02
alpha-Capricornids Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| alpha-Capricornids radiant rise | 17:17 | |
| Sunset | 18:13 | 11° |
| Civil sunset | 18:43 | 16° |
| Astrosession begin | 19:55 | 29° |
Moon Rise, 81.4% illuminated  | 20:18 | 32° |
| alpha-Capricornids radiant transit | 22:50 | 44° |
| Astrosession end | 02:32 | 21° |
| Civil sunrise | 03:45 | 8° |
| Sunrise | 04:15 | 2° |
| alpha-Capricornids radiant set | 04:24 | |
| Moon Set | 09:21 | -55° |
Track alpha-Capricornids Position Throughout the Night
← Sun, 2 August 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Moon Dynamics for alpha-Capricornids Meteor Shower in 2026
The visibility of a meteor shower depends on the Moon's position and brightness. This chart provides a detailed view of the moon dynamics for this specific meteor shower, helping you determine the best times to observe.
The blue and white areas represent night and day, while the reddish area highlights when the radiant is above the horizon. A white line marks the radiant's transit time, and the grey area shows when the Moon is above the horizon. While many focus on the meteor shower's peak date, it is often preferable to choose a time with dark skies rather than one where the Moon's brightness interferes with visibility. Click on the chart to view detailed Sun and Moon events for a specific date in the table above, ensuring you have all the information needed for a perfect stargazing experience.
Discover the alpha-Capricornids Meteor Shower, including:
Radiant Position:
- Right Ascension: 20h 30m 46s"
- Declination: -8° 18' 00s
Peak Activity: This meteor shower is active from July 30 to August 11, with peak activity typically occurring around August 02, when the shower’s rate of meteors per hour is at its highest.
Associated Parent Comet: The alpha-Capricornids originates from debris left by 169P/NEAT. The comet's debris intersects Earth's orbit, creating the meteor shower.
alpha-Capricornids Observation History
This section provides a record of previous meteor shower activity, including the start, end, and peak dates. While meteor showers are often associated with traditional dates, it's important to note that these dates may vary slightly each year due to solar and atmospheric conditions.
This table serves as a helpful reference, and observers should be aware that the exact dates may shift. Be sure to check updated forecasts closer to the event to determine the best time to observe the shower, as these dates can differ from year to year.
| Year | Start Date | Peak Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-mm-dd | - | August 01 | - |
| 2002-mm-dd | - | July 25 | - |
| 1973-mm-dd | July 26 | July 31 | August 11 |
| 2003-mm-dd | - | July 31 | - |
| 2008-mm-dd | July 18 | July 26 | July 30 |
| 2009-mm-dd | July 16 | July 29 | August 10 |
| 2009-mm-dd | July 11 | July 27 | August 10 |
| 2015-08-23 | July 03 | July 30 | August 10 |
| 2022-11-16 | - | July 17 | - |
| 2022-11-16 | July 22 | July 27 | July 30 |
| 2022-11-16 | July 30 | August 02 | August 11 |
Use this historical data as a guideline for when meteor showers typically occur, but remember that the exact timing may vary slightly each year.
Data Credits
We would like to express our gratitude to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Meteor Center for providing valuable meteor data.
Special thanks to all the astronomers, researchers, and enthusiasts whose work contributes to the understanding and observation of meteor showers.