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Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
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Aquarids meteor shower viewing alert: When and where to see shooting stars
The Aquarids, a meteor shower famous for its speedy balls of space debris that streak across the night sky, is due to peak in early May. The ETA Aquarids reliably becomes most active around early May each year as Earth passes through debris left by the famous Halley's comet. Taking place right on the heels of the Lyrid meteor shower, the Aquarids – sometimes spelled as "Aquariids" – are also the last opportunity to catch a meteor shower for a few months before the next one peaks in late July. The Aquarids meteors don't produce bright flashes known as fireballs, but they are famous for being fast and leaving spectacular glowing trails 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 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 could still catch some up until about 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. The Aquarids should pretty much 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. Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by comets and other space objects as they orbit the sun. The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA. The striking celestial sight, which are often colloquially referred to as "shooting stars," are meteors. If meteoroids survive their trip to Earth without burning up in the atmosphere, they are called meteorites, NASA says. The Aquarids' parent comet is perhaps the most famous one of them all: Halley's Comet. Halley, which takes about 76 years for each orbit of the sun, won't be seen again by casual observers until 2061 after it was last sighted in 1986. But despite its rare appearance to us here on Earth, Halley's impact is still felt at least twice a year when we enter its debris path. Each time Halley returns to the inner solar system, its nucleus sheds ice and rocky dust into space that eventually becomes not only the ETA Aquarids in May, but the Orionids every October. 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. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Florida Today: How to see ETA Aquarids meteor shower peak in May 2025
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
When to see the Aquarids meteor shower, debris from Halley's comet from Iowa
Skywatchers in Iowa have one last opportunity in the coming days to catch a meteor shower, as the next one won't peak until late July. The ETA Aquarids, a meteor shower that originated from the debris left by Halley's comet, becomes most active each May during the first couple of weeks of the month. The Aquarids – sometimes spelled as "Aquariids" – are famous for being fast and leaving spectacular glowing trails in their wake. The ETA Aquarids, a meteor shower formed from debris left behind by Halley's comet, reach their peak activity each year during the first few weeks of May. The Aquarids — sometimes spelled "Aquariids" — are known for their incredible speed and glowing trails. When does the ETA Aquarids meteor shower peak? An Eta Aquarid meteor streaks over north Georgia on April 29, 2012. The Aquarids, which first became active on April 19, are due to peak between May 5 and May 6 and last until May 28, according to the American Meteor Society. The Aquarids follow the Lyrid meteor shower in April and the Quadrantids in January. What time can I see the Aquarids meteors? The Aquarids are best viewed during the dark hours between midnight and dawn, according to the American Meteor Society. The website Time and Date also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon. For Des Moines, peak viewing is usually between 3 and 6 a.m. Where can you see Aquarids meteor shower? The Aquarids should pretty much 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. Heading to a rural area or anywhere that is as dark as possible to decrease the chances of light pollution will also help to unveil the best sights. What is the weather forecast for Aquarids meteor shower in Iowa? The National Weather Service expects mostly clear skies across Iowa at 1 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025. May 5 will be Iowans' best chance of seeing the Aquarids meteor shower. The night of Monday, May 5, will be mostly clear with a low around 48 degrees in Des Moines. Most of Iowa is forecast to have between 10% and 25% cloud cover overnight. Parts of northeast Iowa could have as much as 41% cloud cover. Tuesday night will see increased cloud coverage with a low near 52 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service expects more cloud cover in Iowa in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Cloud cover is expected to be between 37% and 75% across Iowa between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Des Moines is forecast at 60% cloud cover. Clouds will be thickest in southwest Iowa and the least cloud cover will be in northeast Iowa. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@ or follow him on X @CooperAWorth. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Can you see the Aquarids meteor shower from Iowa? Here's what to know.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
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. 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. 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. 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 and 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. 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. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's the best time to see the meteor shower? How to watch Aquarids
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
When to see the ETA Aquarids meteor shower from Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Stuart
For the next two nights, if you look up at the sky, you could get a glimpse of the ETA Aquarids meteor shower. The meteor shower will be visible across the globe, including in Florida, peaking on May 5 and May 6. However, the meteor shower started on April 19, according to the American Meteor Society. Here's what to know about the celestial events kicking off this week and when the best times to head outside to watch them will be. The Aquarids — sometimes spelled "Aquariids" — follows closely on the heels of the Lyrid meteors less than two weeks ago, and is the final meteor shower for more than two months. The meteors reliably become most active around early May each year as Earth passes through debris left by the famous Halley's comet. The Aquarids will 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 could still catch some up until about May 28. The best view is actually in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the Treasure Coast is in the Northern Hemisphere, the meteors will appear as "Earthgrazers," or long meteors that appear to skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon, according to NASA. SpaceX rocket launch in Florida: Where to watch in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie Look up: How about a meteor shower to start your work week? Here's when to head outside in Florida Look low on the horizon. It's best to lie on your back, with your feet facing east, NASA said. Look for an unobstructed view away from lights. It'll take about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness for you to be able to see the meteors. Meteor showers like the Eta Aquarids don't have a specific time to head outside and watch in the same sense as something like an eclipse, the Pensacola News Journal reported. The best shot at catching a glimpse of the Eta Aquarid meteors is when it's darkest outside, with NASA suggesting going out at 2 a.m. on May 6 to watch, and in a spot away from light pollution. Visibility is dependent on sky conditions and cloud coverage. The National Weather Service shared graphics showing the cloud forecast across the U.S. overnight for both May 5 and May 6. Click below to see the visibility in these three Treasure Coast cities, according to Time and Date AS, which did not have information for Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach or Palm City: Port St. Lucie Stuart Vero Beach Halley's comet, which takes about 76 years for each orbit of the sun, won't be seen again by casual observers until 2061, after it was last sighted in 1986. Despite its rare appearance on Earth, Halley's impact is still present at least twice a year when we enter its debris path — first during the ETA Aquarids in May and then again during the Orionids every October. Gianna Montesano is TCPalm's trending reporter. You can contact her at 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene. Brandon Girod contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: ETA Aquarids meteor shower visibility from Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach
