What's the best time to see the Aquarids meteor shower? When and how to watch
The ETA Aquarids, one of the most anticipated meteor showers known for sending fiery balls of space debris flying across the sky, is set to peak this week.
The Aquarids (also sometimes spelled Aquardiis) meteors are created by debris left behind by the famous Halley's Comet that then fall to Earth, creating "shooting stars" that leave long glowing trails behind.
The meteor shower is one of the best astronomical viewing events of the year and can be seen across the globe, though those in the Southern Hemisphere are treated to the best view. Luckily, the event can still be seen from every U.S. state, giving stargazers one final chance to watch a shower until the next expected one in July.
Here's what to know about the ETA Aquarids meteor shower, including what time to look up.
When is the ETA Aquarids meteor shower peaking?
The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, are due to peak between May 5 and May 6 as Earth passes through the densest part of Halley's cosmic debris, according to the American Meteor Society. While the meteors won't be as bright or dazzling after the peak, stargazers should still be able to catch some of the light show until about May 28.
What time can I see the Aquarids meteors?
Like all meteor showers, the Aquarids are best viewed during the dark hours between midnight and dawn. According to NASA's Watch the Skies blog, the best time to view the peak starts at 2 a.m. on May 6 and lasts until dawn.
Time and Date also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon based on your specific location.
How to See the Eta Aquarids
The Aquarids should be visible around the globe, anywhere in the sky, assuming clouds and a bright moon do not obscure the view.
However, the meteors are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. This is because the meteors seem to emerge, or radiate, from the constellation Aquarius, which is higher up in the sky in the Southern Hemisphere than it is in the Northern Hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, ETA Aquarid meteors appear as what NASA refers to as "Earthgrazers," or long meteors that appear to skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon.
Some more tips for getting a better look from NASA and Date and Time include:
Find a viewing spot away from cities' light pollution and street lights. Get there in advance to settle and give your eyes time to adjust, which can take 15 to 30 minutes.
Lie down on the ground and look at the sky. You can use Date and Time's Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map or the table above to find the direction of the radiant to look towards.
Bring a blanket, chair, comfortable clothes and maybe some snacks or drinks. Catching a meteor shower can be a waiting game.
If the moon is out, look at areas of the sky away from the moon to prevent its light from washing out the show.
Know the peak time and how many meteors you can expect to see per hour. You can check EarthSky's meteor guide for that information.
What is the ETA Aquarids meteor shower?
Most meteor showers are the result of Earth passing through debris left by comets, explains NASA. These broken-up meteoritic materials fall to Earth and burn up in Earth's atmosphere, creating what we know as "shooting stars."
This happens daily (NASA scientists estimate that 48.5 tons of material fall on Earth each day), and if you watch closely, you should be able to see a few per hour on an average night. When the number of meteors entering Earth's atmosphere increases significantly, that's what's called a meteor shower.
Meteor showers are usually named after a star or constellation closest to where the meteors appear in the sky; in this case, Aquarius.
The debris that makes the ETA Aquarids meteors come from Halley's Comet, which can only be seen from Earth once every roughly 76 years (the next time will be 2061). When it returns to the inner solar system, it leaves behind the rocky dust that eventually creates the ETA Aquarids meteor shower each May and the Orionids every October.
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