The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is set to reach its peak activity this week, offering stargazers a chance to see numerous meteors. The shower originates from the trail of debris left behind by Halley’s comet as Earth passes through its orbital path.
Meteor showers occur when our planet collides with streams of dust and rock released by comets or asteroids. For the Eta Aquarids, these sand and pebble-sized particles, called meteoroids, originate from Halley's Comet material deposited hundreds of years ago.
The shower is active from mid-April through late May. Peak viewing is expected during the mornings of May 4-6. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere may see rates up to 50 meteors per hour, while those in the Northern Hemisphere can expect about 10-20 per hour under dark conditions, according to NASA. The moon's phase will offer favorable dark skies up to the morning of May 6. The meteors appear to radiate from a point in the constellation Aquarius.
Viewing conditions improve after the moon sets and ahead of dawn. Lie flat with your feet generally facing east to take in a wide view of the night sky. Allow eyes time to adjust to darkness, typically 30 minutes. The fast-moving meteors strike Earth's atmosphere at high speeds and can leave behind glowing trails that persist for seconds.
Optimal viewing requires getting away from city lights. Meteors can be seen radiating outward from the shower's point of origin in the sky. Some meteors may appear as long "earthgrazers" when the radiant point is low above the horizon, skimming the upper atmosphere layers.
Larger pieces of debris shed by Halley's Comet can sometimes cause bright, dramatic fireball events as they disintegrate high overhead.
May's sky also features several planets visible without optical aid. Viewers can spot Venus low in the east ahead of sunrise. Mars and Jupiter are visible in the west after sunset. Saturn is also observable during the month. May's full moon, known as the Flower Moon, reaches peak illumination on May 12. Other names for the May moon relate to springtime natural changes.
Those observing visually can contribute data by recording observations like time, magnitude, and type. Information on observing methods and data submission is available through the International Meteor Organization. Helpful tips for visual observing are also available. Radio meteor scatter observers may also detect activity, particularly during daylight hours when visual observation is not possible. Tips on how to photograph meteor showers are also available for those seeking a permanent record. Observers can submit their observations using a visual meteor report form.
