WASHINGTON (July 30, 2025) – Three meteor showers are currently, or are soon to be, active and visible to the naked eye. The Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids are visible now and expected to last through August 12. The Perseids, widely considered the most spectacular meteor shower of the year, is ramping up and will reach its peak on August 12 or 13.
For the best viewing experience, experts recommend heading to dark areas away from city lights and avoiding obstructions like tall trees or buildings. Elevated spots such as hills or mountains may also provide a clearer view of the night sky.
Bethany Cobb Kung, Ph.D., an astronomer and associate professor of honors and physics at the George Washington University, is available for comment to explain the science behind these meteor showers and why events like the Perseids captivate stargazers every year. She earned her Ph.D. from Yale University in 2008 for her research on gamma-ray bursts, massive stellar explosions, and regularly speaks on public engagement with astronomy. She also received GW’s prestigious Morton A. Bender Teaching Award in 2016.
If you would like to schedule an interview with Professor Kung, please contact Claire Sabin at claire [dot] sabin
gwu [dot] edu (claire[dot]sabin[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-