02-05-2025
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks in the UK this bank holiday weekend
The solar system never fails to provide us here on Earth with magical moments. From the majestic green and pink waves of the northern lights to spooky solar eclipses and spiritually-charged full moons, there's just something about being reminded of our teeny tiny place in the universe that gets us every time.
One of the most common celestial events to grace our skies are meteor showers. Last month there was the Lyrids and before that was the Quadrantids. Now, this bank holiday weekend, we're in for another dose of spectacular shooting stars.
Here's everything you need to know if you want to catch sight of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower.
What is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
Like all other meteor showers, the Eta Aquariid shower is essentially loads of space debris left behind by comets or asteroids that shoot through the solar system and burn up when they fall through the Earth's atmosphere (at up to 70km per second), creating those dazzling streaks of light that we like to call shooting stars.
This particular shower is made up of debris from Halley's Comet, the most famous comet in our solar system. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the Eta Aquariid shower is typically low in the sky and has a possible hourly rate of 50.
It occurs around this time every year and its name comes from the constellation that it appears to radiate from: Aquarius.
When is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
The shower has been active since April 19 and will continue to be until May 28.
What is the best time to see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
The Eta Aquarrids are expected to peak between midnight and dawn on Monday, May 5. Experts also say that it'll be particularly active on Tuesday morning at around 4am.
Top tips to see the meteor shower
Whenever you want to see a celestial spectacle in its full glory, you should head somewhere with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the horizon (the UK's national parks tend to be a good bet). And, of course, it needs to be a clear night.
There's no need to fork out on a fancy telescope, you should be able to see the shooting stars with the naked eye. If you do want a closer look, a pair of binoculars will do the trick. Once you've set up camp, you'll need to be patient. Your eyes will need around 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness (that includes not looking at your phone), then you simply wait and let the magic happen.
