Latest news with #EtaAquarid
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Milky Way will be visible in May, over Memorial Day weekend, across US: When to see our galaxy
Milky Way will be visible in May, over Memorial Day weekend, across US: When to see our galaxy Billions of stars comprising the Milky Way, our home galaxy, should appear especially vibrant till May 30, 2025, as the band arcs across the night sky. Show Caption Hide Caption Astronomy events to mark on your May calendar One of the most exciting stargazing events for the month of May include the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which will peak on May 5-6. The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse of the band of billions of stars comprising our galaxy. Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution. The Milky Way could be coming to a sky near you. The billions of stars comprising our home galaxy should appear especially vibrant in late-May as the band arcs across the night sky. The reason has much to do with the cycle of the moon, but it also has to do with how high in the sky the Milky Way should appear from our perspective here on Earth, specifically in the United States. Here's everything to know about our Milky Way, including how to see the stunning natural phenomenon. What is the Milky Way galaxy? The Milky Way is our home galaxy with a disc of stars that spans more than 100,000 light-years. Because it appears as a rotating disc curving out from a dense central reason, the Milky Way is known as a spiral galaxy. Our planet itself is located along one of the galaxy's spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA. The Milky Way sits in a cosmic neighborhood called the Local Group that includes more than 50 other galaxies. Those galaxies can be as small as a dwarf galaxy with up to only a few billion stars, or as large as Andromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor. The Milky Way got its name because from our perspective on Earth, it appears as a faint band of light stretching across the entire sky. Is the Milky Way visible on Earth? When to see it While the Milky Way is generally always visible from Earth, certain times of year are better for stargazers to catch a glimpse of the band of billions of stars comprising our galaxy. "Milky Way season," when the galaxy's bright center becomes easier to see from Earth, typically runs from February to October, according to Milky Way photography website Capture the Atlas. However, the best time to see the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere is from March to September. And for several days in May, the Milky Way may be even more visible than usual. The peak days to view the Milky Way will be from Tuesday, May 20, to Friday, May 30, according to science news website LiveScience. That's the period between the last quarter moon and the new moon, when skies should be darker. Where, how to see the Milky Way in May 2025 Those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the entire continental United States, could have spectacular views of the Milky Way on clear nights with a new moon. Typically, the sky is darkest between about midnight and 5 a.m., according to Capture the Atlas. Stargazers can observe the Milky Way galaxy by looking for the Summer Triangle, "a shape formed by three bright stars" that spans across the Milky Way, according to In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way rises in the southeast, travels across the southern sky and sets in the southwest, according to Spectators will have the best luck on cloud-free nights and in locations away from city light pollution. DarkSky International maintains a website that lists all designated dark sky communities around the world, including 159 locations in the U.S. When is the next new moon? Timing up your viewing experience with a new moon phase will also help so that light reflected off our celestial neighbor doesn't drown out the billions of stars lighting up the Milky Way, astronomers say. Just like Earth, half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun, while the other half remains dark. A new moon represents the start of a new lunar cycle, when the illuminated side of Earth's natural satellite is facing away from our planet, rendering it effectively invisible to us. As the moon orbits around Earth and Earth orbits around the sun, the amount of sunlight that reflects off the moon and travels to our eyes changes every day until the moon appears as full. The next new moon is Tuesday, May 26 (the day after Memorial Day), according to the website TimeAndDate. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Best stargazing spectacles of summer 2025: Full moons, meteor showers and eclipses
Best stargazing spectacles of summer 2025: Full moons, meteor showers and eclipses Show Caption Hide Caption Astronomy events to mark on your May calendar One of the most exciting stargazing events for the month of May include the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which will peak on May 5-6. Meteor showers, a total lunar eclipse and Northern Lights displays have already dazzled across the sky so far this year, with May treating stargazers to the Eta Aquarids "shooting stars," a Venus-Saturn alignment and a glowing full moon. As the weather continues to heat up and attention turns toward summer, astrology enthusiasts have a lot to prepare for. Eclipses and more meteor showers are among the many space phenomena we can expect to see in the coming months, along with classic full moons and the chance to spot at least one planet glowing extra bright. Here are a few of the biggest astronomical events to keep an eye out for in the coming summer months. New moons The new moons of summer 2025 will occur on: June 25, July 24, Aug. 23 and Sept. 21. June 11: Full Strawberry Moon June's full moon is often known as the Strawberry Moon, not because the moon itself takes on a red hue (though it can), but rather because some Native American tribes associated it with the time of berry harvest in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. June 21: June Solstice The June solstice occurs when the sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky, creating the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere, according to the Farmer's Almanac. In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the beginning of summer, while it marks the beginning of winter in the Southern. It can occur from June 20-22 and the moment of the sun's peak northern position is expected to happen on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 02:42 UTC. Try to spot Mercury Mercury is small and close to the sun, making it difficult to spot with the naked eye on most days. On July 4, however, it will be at its greatest elongation east, meaning it will appear its furthest distance from the sun in the evening sky and therefore will be easier to spot, according to Time and Date. If you're more of a morning person, you'll get another chance on Aug. 19, when Mercury is at its greatest elongation west, meaning it will appear at its furthest distance from the sun in the morning sky. July 10: Buck Moon July's full moon is commonly called the "Buck Moon" again to signify a natural phenomenon that occurs around that time. Deer bucks shed their antlers to grow new ones seasonally; early June is roughly the time during which their new antlers begin regrowing from their heads, according to Time and Date. August 9: Sturgeon Moon August's full moon is often called the "Sturgeon Moon," again deriving its name from Native tribes who found an abundance of giant lake sturgeon ready to catch in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain in the later summer months, according to the Farmer's Almanac. August 12-13: Perseid Meteors shower The Perseid meteors, the product of space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle falling to Earth, can be seen as "shooting stars" periodically between July 17 and Aug. 24. However, the meteor activity is supposed to peak between Aug. 12 and 13, creating one of the most vibrant meteor showers of the year, according to Time and Date. Sept. 7-8: Total Lunar Eclipse A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and moon, blocking the sun's light and casting a shadow on the moon, creating a reddish glow. Unfortunately for U.S. stargazers, totality this time around will only be visible from Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, some people in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America will be able to see at least some of the event, according to Time and Date. Sept. 7: Corn Moon The September full moon is generally called the "Corn Moon," as some Native American tribes traditionally harvested corn during this time, according to the Farmer's Almanac. Sept. 21: Partial Solar Eclipse A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the sun and Earth, only partially covering the sun's disk and often creating a crescent or "bite" illusion. Unfortunately for Americans, this partial solar eclipse will only be viewable in New Zealand, Australia, various Pacific islands and parts of Antarctica, according to Time and Date. Also Sept. 21: Try to spot Saturn Americans may not get a chance to see the Sept. 21 eclipse, but they may be able to spot Saturn. Saturn will be in opposition on that date, meaning the Earth, Saturn and Sun align, giving us the closest view of the ringed planet. It will then be visible from sunrise until sunset and be most visible from this point through October, according to the Farmer's Almanac. Sept. 22: September/Fall/Autumnal Equinox The September equinox, also known as the Autumnal or Fall equinox, occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator from north to south. It signals the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, according to Time and Date.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- USA Today
Stargaze on landing: This US airport was just Dark Sky certified
Stargaze on landing: This US airport was just Dark Sky certified Show Caption Hide Caption Astronomy events to mark on your May calendar One of the most exciting stargazing events for the month of May include the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which will peak on May 5-6. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the first airport to be named an International Dark Sky Place. The airport replaced over 250 light fixtures to reduce light pollution, benefiting both stargazing and wildlife. The change supports Grand Teton National Park's efforts to preserve its naturally dark skies. The next time you fly into or out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you might want to book a window seat. The Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) became a certified International Dark Sky Place earlier this month, the first airport to receive the designation, according to a news release. The facility's staff created a lighting management plan, upgrading and replacing exterior lighting – more than 250 fixtures so far – and working to reduce light spill from its terminal building. Along with enhanced stargazing in the surrounding Grand Teton National Park, the efforts will benefit wildlife that 'rely on the nocturnal environment to thrive,' per the release. JAC is the only commercial airport located in a U.S. national park. 'Grand Teton National Park is a place where people can still see planets, stars and be mesmerized by the Milky Way just by stepping outside,' Chip Jenkins, the national park's superintendent, said in the release. 'A night sky is a resource as valuable and awe-inspiring as seeing a grizzly bear or catching a fish in the Snake River. Protecting the night sky requires effort from all of us and we appreciate how the Jackson Hole Airport has embraced this work.' What is astrotourism? Why travelers are exploring dark skies While exterior landside and airside lighting is covered in the plan, lights on the airfield and ramp must comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules and are exempt from DarkSky requirements. In addition to establishing lighting guidelines for the airport, the plan complies with the International Energy Conservation Code and local ordinances. 'The (lighting management plan) also embraces DarkSky's five principles for responsible outdoor lighting: useful; targeted; low level; controlled; and warm-colored,' the release said. The International Dark Sky Places Program is voluntary and non-regulatory. The news comes after Teton County became the first county certified as an International Dark Sky Community in April. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
When is best time to see Halley's comet - Eta Aquarid meteor shower tonight? How to watch
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will light up the sky Monday, May 5 with a chance to see pieces of Halley's comet streak through the night sky. Here's what to know and when to watch. The annual Eta Aquarid showers are best known for their fast and bright meteors traveling at speeds of 40.7 miles per second. They are caused by debris left by Halley's comet when Earth passes through its orbit. Eta Aquarids will be the last major meteor shower until the Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids peak simultaneously between July 29 and July 30, according to the American Meteor Society. This year's Eta Aquarid shower could give stargazers the opportunity to see up to 50 meteors per hour pass swiftly across the sky and leaving glowing 'trains' during its peak tonight, according to NASA. Here's what to know about tonight's shooting stars, when and how to watch. When is the Eta Aquarid meteor shower? The Eta Aquarids are active from April 20 to May 21, and are set to peak between May 5-6 in 2025. While approximately 10 meteors per hour may be observed during the night skies between April 20 through May 21, NASA reports up to 50 meteors per hour may be visible during its peak between May 5-6. What is the Eta Aquarid meteor shower? The Eta Aquarids, or Eta Aquariids, is an annual shower of meteors shooting through the night sky as they come into Earth's atmosphere. When comets come around the sun, they leave a dusty trail of particles and bits of broken asteroids, NASA explains, and every year when Earth passes through these debris trails during its orbit, the bits 'collide with its atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.' The debris that causes the Eta Aquarid meteor shower originates from comet 1P/Halley, which takes about 76 years to orbit the Sun. The infamous Comet Halley is not expected to enter the inner solar system again until 2061. How to watch the Eta Aquarid meteor shower? To best view the Eta Aquarids, find an area well away from city lights or street lights. On a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair, lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible, according to NASA. It may take about 30 minutes in the dark for your eyes to adapt and then you will begin to see meteors. It will be an all-night show of spectacular shooting stars. This article originally appeared on When to see Halley's comet? Best time to watch meteor shower tonight
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.
