Watch out for meteor showers this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Mindanao can watch out for meteor showers this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

“The Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower will be best observed from July 28 to 31,” the weather bureau said in its monthly astronomical diary.

PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said cloudy skies will prevail over Luzon, including Metro Manila, and the Visayas until July 31.

“Mindanao is the best place to view the meteor showers,” Servando told The STAR.

“The estimated peak date will be before midnight and onward on July 29,” PAGASA said.

“The showers are part of a complex of radiants in Aquarius, Capricornus and Piscis Austrinus, all of which combine with sporadic and early Perseid activity to provide a nice display of meteors,” it said.

PAGASA said the stream normally produces about five to 10 meteors per hour, with overall activity of about 15 meteors per hour under good sky conditions.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said two low-pressure areas will continue to dump rains over most parts of the country this weekend.                             

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, an active low-pressure area was located at 540 kilometers east northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar, while another low pressure area was estimated at 370 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.