The Southern Delta Aquariids (SDA) are active Jul 12 – Aug 23 and peak around July 30, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 25 under ideal skies. They come from comet 96P/Machholz (likely), hit the atmosphere at 41 km/s, and are best seen around 2–3 a.m.. The moon will be about 13% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Jul 30
2027
ZHR
25
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
13%
Waning Crescent
Radiant
RA 340°
Dec -16°
Southern Delta Aquariids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2:56 AM | 40° | 16 | 13% (up) |
| Alaska | 2:01 AM | 10° | 4 | 12% (up) |
| Arizona | 2:38 AM | 40° | 16 | 12% (up) |
| Arkansas | 3:30 AM | 38° | 15 | 12% (up) |
| California | 3:10 AM | 37° | 15 | 12% (up) |
| Colorado | 3:09 AM | 35° | 14 | 12% (up) |
| Connecticut | 3:08 AM | 32° | 13 | 13% (up) |
| Delaware | 3:08 AM | 35° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| District of Columbia | 3:26 AM | 35° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Florida | 3:36 AM | 45° | 18 | 13% (up) |
| Georgia | 3:50 AM | 39° | 16 | 13% (up) |
| Hawaii | 2:43 AM | 53° | 20 | 11% |
| Idaho | 3:43 AM | 30° | 12 | 12% (up) |
| Illinois | 3:07 AM | 34° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Indiana | 3:53 AM | 34° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Iowa | 3:18 AM | 32° | 13 | 13% (up) |
| Kansas | 3:44 AM | 35° | 14 | 12% (up) |
| Kentucky | 3:50 AM | 36° | 15 | 13% (up) |
| Louisiana | 3:19 AM | 44° | 17 | 13% (up) |
| Maine | 2:45 AM | 29° | 12 | 13% (up) |
| Maryland | 3:10 AM | 35° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Massachusetts | 2:51 AM | 32° | 13 | 13% (up) |
| Michigan | 3:50 AM | 28° | 12 | 13% (up) |
| Minnesota | 3:23 AM | 27° | 11 | 13% (up) |
| Mississippi | 3:04 AM | 41° | 16 | 13% (up) |
| Missouri | 3:20 AM | 36° | 15 | 13% (up) |
| Montana | 3:40 AM | 26° | 11 | 12% (up) |
| Nebraska | 3:44 AM | 32° | 13 | 12% (up) |
| Nevada | 2:50 AM | 35° | 14 | 12% (up) |
| New Hampshire | 3:03 AM | 30° | 12 | 13% (up) |
| New Jersey | 3:09 AM | 34° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| New Mexico | 3:22 AM | 39° | 16 | 12% (up) |
| New York | 3:07 AM | 31° | 13 | 13% (up) |
| North Carolina | 3:46 AM | 38° | 15 | 13% (up) |
| North Dakota | 3:43 AM | 26° | 11 | 12% (up) |
| Ohio | 3:40 AM | 34° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Oklahoma | 3:45 AM | 39° | 16 | 12% (up) |
| Oregon | 3:14 AM | 30° | 12 | 12% (up) |
| Pennsylvania | 3:19 AM | 33° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Rhode Island | 3:03 AM | 32° | 13 | 13% (up) |
| South Carolina | 3:35 AM | 40° | 16 | 13% (up) |
| South Dakota | 3:11 AM | 30° | 12 | 12% (up) |
| Tennessee | 2:59 AM | 38° | 15 | 13% (up) |
| Texas | 3:47 AM | 44° | 17 | 12% (up) |
| Utah | 3:40 AM | 35° | 14 | 12% (up) |
| Vermont | 2:54 AM | 30° | 12 | 13% (up) |
| Virginia | 3:27 AM | 36° | 15 | 13% (up) |
| Washington | 3:10 AM | 26° | 11 | 12% (up) |
| West Virginia | 3:37 AM | 35° | 14 | 13% (up) |
| Wisconsin | 3:05 AM | 29° | 12 | 13% (up) |
| Wyoming | 3:29 AM | 30° | 12 | 12% (up) |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Southern Delta Aquariids peak in 2027?
Around July 30, 2027; activity runs Jul 12 – Aug 23.
What time is best to watch the Southern Delta Aquariids?
Around 2–3 a.m., when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Southern Delta Aquariids in 2027?
The moon is about 13% lit at the peak. That is close to ideal.