Latest news with #Capricornids
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Peak of ETA Aquarids comes to an end: When will the next meteor shower be visible?
Within the first five months of 2025, stargazers were treated to three dazzling meteor showers that sent "shooting stars" streaking across the night sky. The peak of the latest meteor shower, known as the ETA Aquarids, has now come and gone after becoming most active for two nights in early May. The bad news? Stargazers will have to wait a few months for the next observable meteor shower activity. But there's also good news: When the cosmic phenomenon resumes in July, spectators will be treated to a string of meteor showers – two of which will overlap during their peaks. Here's everything to know about this summer's meteor shower activity, which will hit a crescendo in August with the peak of the best meteor shower of the year: The Perseids. ETA Aquarids: Peak ends, but meteors still active The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, peaked between May 5 and May 6 as Earth passed through the densest part of the cosmic debris from the famous Halley's comet, according to the American Meteor Society. While the meteors won't be as bright or dazzling after the peak, stargazers could still catch some up until about May 28. When is the next meteor shower? 2 to peak at same time Up next, both Southern delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are due to peak at the same time between July 29 and July 30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Capricornids begin their activity July 12, followed by the Southern delta Aquarids on July 18. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12. Unfortunately, neither shower is famed for being very strong. The Southern Delta Aquarids are faint meteors that are difficult enough to spot as it is. But if the moon is visible at all, it will be near impossible, according to NASA. Perseids, best meteor shower of the year, coming up In August, what is widely considered among stargazers and astronomers alike to be the best meteor shower of the year will hit its peak. The Perseid meteor shower gained its reputation for the plentiful whizzing meteors and blazing fireballs it reliably produces each year pretty much around the globe. Fireballs, large explosions of light and color, can persist even longer than an average meteor streak, NASA says. This year, the Perseids are expected to peak Aug. 12-13. But they'll be active even longer, July 17-Aug. 23. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Peak of ETA Aquarids comes to an end: When is the next meteor shower?
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What time is the ETA Aquarids? Here's when to see meteor shower in Texas
Sky watchers will have one last opportunity to catch a meteor shower in May before the next one peaks in late July. The ETA Aquarids, a meteor shower known for its speedy balls of space debris, should be streaking across the night sky in coming days. These Aquarids, taking place on the heels of the Lyrid meteor shower, are most active around early May each year. The Aquarids meteors don't produce bright flashes known as fireballs, but they are famous for being fast and leaving spectacular glowing trains in their wake. Here's everything to know about the ETA Aquarids meteor shower and how to see it in 2025: The Aquarids, which first became active April 19, are due to peak between Monday, May 5, and Tuesday, 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 could still catch some up until about Wednesday, May 28. The Aquarids are the third major meteor shower of the year, following the Lyrids earlier in April and the Quadrantids in January. Like all meteor showers, the Aquarids are best viewed during the dark hours between midnight and dawn. The website Time and Date also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon. In El Paso, Texas, it should be visible starting at 3 a.m. MT on Tuesday, May 6. In Austin and San Antonio, it should be visible between 4 and 7 a.m. Monday, May 5. The Aquarids should be visible around the globe, anywhere in the sky – assuming clouds and a bright moon don't obscure the view. However, the meteors are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. That's 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. Getting away from city light pollution and street lights will also help to unveil the best sights. Aquarids meteors whiz across the sky at up to about 40.7 miles per second. That's fast enough to leave a glowing trail of debris behind that can last for several seconds or even multiple minutes, according to NASA. If conditions are right, up to about 50 meteors can be seen per hour during the shower's peak. But north of the equator, the meteor shower typically produces no more than 10 to 30 meteors per hour. Up next, both Southern delta Aquarids and the alpha Capricornids are due to peak at the same time between July 29 and July 30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Capricornids begin their activity July 12, followed by the Southern delta Aquarids on July 18. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12. More: View images of total lunar eclipse, 'blood moon' from El Paso, Texas Source: Eric Lagatta, USAToday This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: ETA Aquarids 2025: How to see meteor shower in Texas
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Come see the 'Earthgrazers': Eta Aquarids to peak early May. When and how to watch the meteor shower
In case you missed the Lyrid meteor shower in April, you now have another chance to catch a celestial display. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, known for its speedy space rocks, is due to peak in early May. The Eta Aquarids have been active since April 20, but will reach their peak May 5-6. According to NASA, the meteors travel at about 40 miles per second into Earth's atmosphere and can leave behind glowing "trains" (incandescent bits of debris) which last for several seconds to minutes Although the Southern Hemisphere is preferable for viewing the Eta Aquarids, the Northern Hemisphere will still be able to catch a glimpse. Here's what to know about the Eta Aquarids meteor shower and how to see it in 2025. The meteor shower will be at its peak Monday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 6. The optimal viewing time in the Northern Hemisphere will be during the pre-dawn hours, said NASA, when stargazers can view up to 10 meteors or "Earthgrazers" (long meteors that appear to skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon) per hour. The difference in meteor visibility between hemispheres is due to the position of the radiant — the point from which meteors appear to originate in the sky. The constellation Aquarius, home to the Eta Aquarids' radiant, is higher in the Southern Hemisphere, said NASA, making meteors more frequent and easier to see. Like all other meteor showers, the Eta Aquarids are best viewed in dark areas, away from city or street lights. NASA recommends bringing a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair, lying flat on your back with your feet facing east, and looking up to take in as much of the sky as possible. "After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors," said NASA. "Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse." The Eta Aquarids originate from the most famous comet, Halley's Comet. Discovered in 1705 by Edmund Halley, the comet takes about 76 years to complete a full orbit around the Sun. According to NASA, each time Halley returns to the inner solar system, its nucleus sheds a layer of ice and rock into space. The dust grains eventually become the Eta Aquarids in May and the Orionids in October if they collide with Earth's atmosphere. Halley's Comet will not enter the inner solar system again until 2061. The next showers to take place after this are the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids, which are both set to peak July 29-30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Southern delta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere and while the alpha Capricornids can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, it is not a very strong shower. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower at its peak? How to see
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Come see the 'Earthgrazers': Eta Aquarids to peak early May. When and how to watch the meteor shower
In case you missed the Lyrid meteor shower in April, you now have another chance to catch a celestial display. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, known for its speedy space rocks, is due to peak in early May. The Eta Aquarids have been active since April 20, but will reach their peak May 5-6. According to NASA, the meteors travel at about 40 miles per second into Earth's atmosphere and can leave behind glowing "trains" (incandescent bits of debris) which last for several seconds to minutes Although the Southern Hemisphere is preferable for viewing the Eta Aquarids, the Northern Hemisphere will still be able to catch a glimpse. Here's what to know about the Eta Aquarids meteor shower and how to see it in 2025. The meteor shower will be at its peak Monday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 6. The optimal viewing time in the Northern Hemisphere will be during the pre-dawn hours, said NASA, when stargazers can view up to 10 meteors or "Earthgrazers" (long meteors that appear to skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon) per hour. The difference in meteor visibility between hemispheres is due to the position of the radiant — the point from which meteors appear to originate in the sky. The constellation Aquarius, home to the Eta Aquarids' radiant, is higher in the Southern Hemisphere, said NASA, making meteors more frequent and easier to see. Like all other meteor showers, the Eta Aquarids are best viewed in dark areas, away from city or street lights. NASA recommends bringing a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair, lying flat on your back with your feet facing east, and looking up to take in as much of the sky as possible. "After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors," said NASA. "Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse." The Eta Aquarids originate from the most famous comet, Halley's Comet. Discovered in 1705 by Edmund Halley, the comet takes about 76 years to complete a full orbit around the Sun. According to NASA, each time Halley returns to the inner solar system, its nucleus sheds a layer of ice and rock into space. The dust grains eventually become the Eta Aquarids in May and the Orionids in October if they collide with Earth's atmosphere. Halley's Comet will not enter the inner solar system again until 2061. The next showers to take place after this are the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids, which are both set to peak July 29-30, according to the American Meteor Society. The Southern delta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere and while the alpha Capricornids can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, it is not a very strong shower. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower at its peak? How to see
