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A double meteor shower is about to light up Australian skies, but there’s a catch

Credit: Getty Images / Orbs

Two separate meteor showers are set to peak on the very same night this year. The catch? A very bright moon might crash the party.

Comets (and their leftover debris) have captivated humans for millennia. Halley’s Comet, for instance, is a hotly anticipated event when it returns every 76 years or so. This month, Australian skywatchers get something a little rarer: two separate meteor showers, caused by two entirely different parent objects, hitting their peak on the same night.

The headline act is the Southern Delta Aquariids, caused by debris from comet 96P/Machholz. Riding shotgun is the lesser-known Alpha Capricornids, a fainter shower but one famous for producing bright, slow fireballs that can outshine anything else in the sky that night. Both are active for weeks either side of their peak, but 30–31 July is when they’ll overlap. Here’s everything you need to know.

At a glance

Southern Delta Aquariids

Active: 12 July – 23 August 2026
Peak night: 30–31 July 2026
Best viewing window: Midnight to just before dawn
Moon conditions: Poor – 98 per cent waning gibbous, up most of the night
Known for: Steady, reliable activity over several weeks

Alpha Capricornids

Active: 12 July – 15 August 2026
Peak night: 30–31 July 2026
Best viewing window: Midnight to just before dawn
Moon conditions: Poor – 98 per cent waning gibbous, up most of the night
Known for: Slow-moving, dramatic fireballs

What is the Delta Aquariids meteor shower?

Delta Aquariids meteor shower
The Delta Aquariids meteor shower and Alpha Capricornids meteor shower are set to peak on 30 July. (Credit: Getty Images/jk78)

A meteor shower happens when the Earth passes through meteoroids (essentially, bits of rock and space dust) left behind by the path of a comet. When they hit the atmosphere, they burn up and produce a mesmerising light show that looks like dozens of shooting stars zipping about.

The Delta Aquariids meteor shower occurs every year as the Earth passes through meteoroids believed to be left behind by the path of comet 96P/Machholz. It’s the lesser-known cousin to the Eta Aquariids shower, which is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet. They share a name, “Aquariids," because the point in the sky where they appear to originate is near the Aquarius constellation.

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Meet the second shower: the Alpha Capricornids

The Alpha Capricornids don’t put on a huge show in terms of numbers – expect only around five meteors an hour, well down on the Delta Aquariids’ 15 to 20. But what they lack in quantity, they make up for in drama. This shower is known for producing an outsized number of bright fireballs, slow and unmistakable streaks that are hard to miss even under less-than-perfect conditions.

Unlike the Delta Aquariids, which favour the southern hemisphere, the Alpha Capricornids are visible in roughly equal measure from both sides of the equator, radiating from a point near the Capricornus constellation, not far from Aquarius. Active from 12 July to 15 August, they build to a “plateau-like" maximum that, this year, lands on the same night as the Delta Aquariids’ peak: 30–31 July.

When to see the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers in 2026

Delta Aquariids meteor shower
The Delta Aquariids meteor shower occurs every year. (Credit: Getty Images/Viktar)

Both showers peak on the night of 30–31 July, but the timing is unlucky. The peak falls just a day after July’s full moon on 29 July, so a nearly full, waning gibbous moon (around 98 per cent illuminated) will be up for most of the night, washing out all but the brighter meteors from both showers. Under ideal, moon-free conditions the Delta Aquariids can produce 15 to 20 meteors an hour – expect noticeably fewer this year thanks to the moonlight. The Alpha Capricornids’ fireballs have a better chance of cutting through the glare, so keep an eye out for those even if the fainter Delta Aquariids are hard to spot.

If you want a better shot at genuinely dark skies, try heading out in the pre-dawn hours during the week before the peak, when the moon is less overwhelming.

How to see the meteor showers

The best way to view either shower is to head away from sources of light pollution. You’ll generally have the most luck just after midnight, once both radiants – Aquarius and Capricornus – have climbed higher into the sky, with the best window running until just before dawn.

A few tips for the best chance of spotting one:

  • Get away from city lights and give your eyes at least 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
  • Skip the binoculars or telescope – your naked eye takes in the widest view of the sky, which is where you want it.
  • Try to find a spot where a tree, building or hill blocks the moon directly, to cut down on glare.
  • Look roughly 45 degrees away from the radiants (near Aquarius and Capricornus) rather than straight at them – meteors appear longer and easier to spot the further you look from that point.

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Where to go: Australia’s best dark-sky spots

Delta Aquariids meteor shower
Head away from sources of light pollution to see the showers. (Credit: Getty Images / Orbs)

Given the moon glare this year, getting somewhere genuinely dark will make the biggest difference to how many meteors you actually see. A few standouts:

  • Warrumbungle National Park, NSW – Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, near Coonabarabran. High altitude, low humidity and zero light pollution make it one of the most reliable stargazing spots in the country, and it sits right next to Siding Spring Observatory, home of the Anglo-Australian Telescope.
  • Arkaroola, SA – Australia’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, deep in the Flinders Ranges. It’s remote enough that light pollution is essentially a non-issue.
  • Cape Range National Park, WA – Near Exmouth on the Ningaloo coast, regularly cited as having some of the best night skies on the continent. Turquoise Bay is a solid free option.
  • Palm Beach Headland, NSW – If a big regional trip isn’t on the cards, this is a workable dark-sky-adjacent option within reach of Sydney.

The Perseid meteor shower – set to peak in mid-August with a much darker, near-moonless sky – is also just around the corner, so it’s worth noting these spots down for a second trip.

Won’t be able to catch the Delta Aquariids this year, or find the moonlight too much competition? Don’t worry, it will return next year, as will the world’s oldest meteor shower, the Lyrids, and the Eta Aquariids.

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Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span...
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Exploring an icon: inside the massive upgrade to Broome’s famous Cable Beach

(Credit: Tourism WA)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
    With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

    As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

    And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

    Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1
    Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

    The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

    Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

    Morning colours

    car on cable beach at sunrise
    Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

    When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

    Afternoon adventures

    camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset
    Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

    When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

    Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

    Evening degustation

    server at Cable Beach Club
    Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

    While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

    For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

    Beyond the beach

    Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

    Unmatched experiences

    Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach
    Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

    Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

    And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

    Dining discoveries

    Matso’s Broome Brewery
    Settle in for Matso’s famous ginger or mango beer. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

    For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

    Natural beauties

    Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome
    Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

    Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

    Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

    For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.