One of the best meteor showers of the year, the Eta Aquariids, is set to peak according to NASA. The shower is expected to peak overnight on Sunday into Monday, with meteors being visible throughout the week. The peak is expected to occur near a new moon, making the sky darker and providing an easier opportunity to catch a glimpse of the meteors. The best viewing time for the Eta Aquariids meteor shower is during pre-dawn hours, with viewers in the Southern Hemisphere able to see up to 40 meteors per hour, while those in the Northern Hemisphere will see 10-20 meteors an hour.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Eta Aquarid meteors are often Earthgrazers, appearing as long meteors that skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon. For the best viewing experience, viewers are advised to head to an area away from city or street lights, lie flat on their backs with feet facing east, and allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes to see the meteors. The meteor shower will continue through May 27, providing a chance to catch more glimpses of the fast-moving meteors that leave glowing trains behind them.
The Eta Aquariids are special due to their speed, with NASA noting that fast meteors can leave behind glowing trails that last for several seconds to minutes. Traveling at 44 miles per second, the Eta Aquariids originate from Halley’s comet, shedding space debris that forms two meteor showers a year – the Eta Aquariids in May and the Orionids in October. While meteors are common occurrences in Earth’s atmosphere every night, meteor showers are less frequent events where many meteors enter the atmosphere over a short period of time, leaving behind streaks of light caused by hot, glowing air. As the meteors pass through the atmosphere, most burn up, but some survive the trip and reach Earth as meteorites.
Aside from the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, astronomy fans can also enjoy the Flower Moon this month as May’s full moon rises. The full moon will reach peak illumination on May 23, marking the end of spring. The next meteor shower to look out for is the Southern delta Aquariids in July, as noted by the American Meteor Society. By taking the time to appreciate the celestial events occurring overhead, viewers can immerse themselves in the wonders of the universe and gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and complexity of our solar system. With each meteor shower providing a unique experience, there are limitless opportunities to gaze up at the night sky and marvel at the natural phenomena that continue to captivate and inspire us.
