Meteor Shower This Weekend Not Worth Watching, Says Thai Astronomy Society
The Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower peaks this weekend, but Thailand's Astronomy Society advises against watching due to heavy monsoon clouds, a full moon, and an exceptionally low meteor rate of just 15-20 per hour.
The Thai Astronomy Society posted on Facebook on July 28 that a meteor shower will occur July 28–30, but viewing is not recommended. The event is the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower, named after the radiiant point near the star Delta Aquarii.
Three reasons discourage observation: the meteor shower has an exceptionally low peak rate of only 15–20 meteors per hour; it occurs during Thailand's rainy season when cloud cover is typically heavy; and this year it coincides with the full moon, causing moonlight to dominate the night sky.
The society's lack of recommendation does not constitute a prohibition, only an attempt to manage expectations. Interested observers may still watch during the window between 1 a.m. and dawn by recline, looking broadly at the sky without focusing on a single spot, and avoiding high hopes.
