Key Information on the Peak of the Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower in Early May
Notice the beauty of this early spring scene before dawn: shooting stars streaking across a southern horizon on a dark, moonless night in early May.
Every year, this display of shooting stars occurs when the Eta Aquariid meteor shower—particles of cosmic dust shed by Halley’s Comet—intersects with Earth’s orbit around the sun. While the peak of the Eta Aquariids doesn’t always align with nights without a moon, this year it does.
For those interested in witnessing the Eta Aquariids before sunrise or making a wish upon them, here are the essential details you need to know.
When, Where, How to View Eta Aquariids
Although the Eta Aquariids will be visible between April 15 and May 27 this year, the peak viewing time is around May 5. This timeframe coincides with Earth encountering the debris stream from Halley’s Comet, resulting in the meteor shower.
Because the Eta Aquariids radiate from the Aquarius constellation in the Southern Hemisphere sky, observers in the south have the best vantage point. The radiant point aligns closely with the star Eta Aquarii, one of the stars in the “water jar” asterism in Aquarius.
A star chart shows the constellation Aquarius and the Eta Aquariids’ radiant near the faint star Eta Aquarii. Designed by The Epoch Times
To see the meteors clearly, dark skies are essential. With a first-quarter moon on May 4, a moonless night will complement the peak period of the Eta Aquariids, providing optimal viewing conditions.
Under perfect dark conditions with no moon, observers in southern parts of the United States may see 10 to 20 Eta Aquariids per hour, as per EarthSky.
What is the Radiant?
Despite appearing to originate from a single point in the constellation Aquarius, Eta Aquariids actually ignite about 100 kilometers above Earth’s surface. This optical illusion is due to the parallel movement of debris in Halley’s Comet stream, creating the appearance of convergence at the radiant point.
For the best meteor viewing experience, focus on observing the meteors away from the radiant point and encompass the entire sky in your view.
