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Chronicle Live

National

Neil Shaw & Chantelle Heeds

Delta Aquariids meteor shower: When is the best time to see shooting stars this week

Canon (Organization) Google Nikon

Stargazers may be able to see shooting stars this week. This is because the annual Delta Aquariids meteor shower falls in line with a New Moon this year.

The best time to spot the meteors is between Thursday (July 28) and Sunday (July 31). As the shower falls in line this the New Moon, this means that moon won't be visible, so the sky will be ultra dark.

The most ideal time to view is between midnight and 3am, and it is thought that they will peak between 2am and 3.30am BST on Saturday, July 30. For the best view, you are advised to find a location that's away from light pollution.

Image monitoring experts at Pixsy have put together a guide what stargazers should follow to get the best view and pictures of the shower. On their website, there is a map of some of the best stargazing spots in the UK and around the world, to help you find your nearest and best place.

Once you're set up, lie flat on your back and look up to take in as much of the sky as possible and look towards the Aquarius constellation for the best chance of seeing the Delta Aquariids.

Remember to stay safe and when if you're planning on heading to a remote location at night, and pack a flask, water, and snacks to keep you going, plus warm clothes and a blanket for when the temperature drops. You should wear sturdy shoes if you’re heading off-road, figure out directions before you set off in case of signal blackouts, and always tell a family member or friend where you’re heading in case of emergency.

Kain Jones, CEO of Pixsy, said: "As you develop a talent for astrophotography and take particularly good shots, you could turn this hobby into a source of income. We've put together five ways to generate money from photography in an online guide.

"Remember that you own the copyright for the photos that you take, so make sure you protect your photos from theft and infringement by monitoring where they're used online. Brush up on image copyright laws so that you know what to do if your photos are used without your permission."

How to capture the Delta Aquariids:

Choose a higher ISO, between 1600 and 6400 - this means the camera is more sensitive to light. The exact ISO you should use will vary between cameras and conditions, so experiment by taking a set of photos and increase the ISO each time to determine which gives you the best results.
Take a tripod - typical expose times for astrophotography can vary, usually between 5 and 30 seconds, and your camera needs to remain completely still for the duration for a sharper image.
Use a large aperture - if you can adjust the aperture on your camera, aim for a large setting (between ƒ/2.8 and ƒ/4). This helps to maximise the amount of light going into your camera lens.

For capturing a meteor shower like the Delta Aquariids, the best camera settings will vary depending on the specific conditions that night; but you should start by opening the lens to the widest aperture and setting a high ISO (though not too high or the images may start to appear noisy and washed out). Use the '500 rule' to calculate your shutter speed, then you can manually adjust the aperture and ISO to improve your images.

Most smartphones on the market now have sophisticated technology that makes astrophotography using your phone easier. But if you have one of the following, you're in luck, as they're among models that stand out for their astrophotography capabilities: