Two Smaller Meteor Showers Now May Be Bigger Show Than Perseids on Oregon / Washington Coast

Published 07/31/25 at 7:15 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - Right now the Perseid meteor shower is just starting to pick up steam and it will reach its peak in a couple of weeks – but with a bit too much of the moon around. However, two other smaller meteor showers may be a better reason to head outdoors this week. (Photo of Comet NEOWISE in Bandon - courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more.

Indeed, reports are aplenty of good meteor sightings late at night in the last two weeks.

The Alpha Capricornids are flickering overhead now through August 15. Even though the peak just happened last night, you could still catch some of it.

Though they aren't especially prolific, seldom producing more than five luminous streaks an hour, the real draw of this shower lies in its eye-catching fireballs. They have been spectacular already the past few days, creating long, bright trails.

Yet there's also the Delta Aquariids that peaked over the last two days as well. "Peaking" doesn't mean the end of them, however.

Ecola State Park's Indian Beach - Cannon Beach (Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

Experts say that together the two smaller showers could result in as many as 20 sightings per hour – if the moon is not out. And it has not been present after midnight in Oregon and Washington, leaving the skies pretty open for streaks both big and small.

“If the Moon is not out, your best chance to see the Southern Delta Aquariids is when meteor rates rise during the shower's peak near the end of July,” NASA said.

However, they added that you could catch some in early August as the Perseids start really taking off.

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“You will know that you have spotted a Southern Delta Aquarid if the meteor is coming from the direction of the constellation Aquarius,” NASA said.

Now, the Perseids? They're the heavy hitters of the night sky. If stargazing were a competition, they’d be in first place. Known to deliver anywhere from 50 to 75 shooting stars per hour at their peak, especially in rural settings where the view is crystal clear, this shower spans July 14 to September 1. Its most dazzling displays usually occur on August 12 or 13, depending on the calendar.

Again, however, this year you may only see 25% of that shower as the moon will be approaching full blast then.

“Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus,” said Jim Todd of Portland's OMSI. “The Perseids are widely sought after by astronomers and stargazers because most years at its peak, one can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour from a dark place.”

If you're heading to the Oregon coastline or Washington coast and the weather is clear, especially about now, you could be in for a show.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection has received numerous reports of a good fiery little streak sometimes twice within ten minutes – even from somewhat hazy Portland. (Staff actually saw a satellite burning up from Portland in mid July as well).

Really, the entire Pacific Northwest is capable of putting on this grand spectacle: from Spokane and Seattle to Westport, and from Pendleton to Cannon Beach, Forest Grove, Medford and Roseburg. Wherever you are: get out there and look up for awhile.

Next year, experts are predicting an unusually heavy Perseids. There is that to look forward to.

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