Latest news with #Lyrids
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
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
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
- Climate
- Yahoo
What time can you see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower? See peak days, Ohio weather forecast
Roughly two weeks after the most recent meteor shower of 2025, shooting stars will again streak across the skies over Ohio. And the peak night to view them is here. The third meteor shower of the year behind the Lyrids in April and the Quadrantids in January, the Eta Aquarids (also spelled "Aquariids") peak in early May each year. And they're spawned by perhaps the most famous comet of them all — Halley's. While they're best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, according to NASA, the Eta Aquarids will still put on a show across the United States, if the weather cooperates. But with Ohio being Ohio, Mother Nature may not. Here's what to know. The biggest astronomical events in 2025: Every eclipse, comet, meteor shower to see in Ohio The Eta Aquarids will peak the evening of May 5 into the pre-dawn hours of May 6, according to NASA. According to NASA's Watch the Skies blog, the best time to view the peak starts at 2 a.m. May 6 and lasts until dawn. "Expect to see at most 10–15 meteors per hour just before dawn on the morning of May 6,' Bill Cooke, who leads NASA's Meteoroid Environments Office at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, told the blog. The moon, however, will be about 60% full, and its light may block some of the show. 'The light from the waxing Moon will wash out the fainter meteors this year," Cooke said. The moon might not be the only thing to dampen the meteor shower during its peak. Rain is in the Ohio weather forecast for May 5 to 6. According to the National Weather Service forecast for Akron, there's an 80% chance of showers, and a 50% chance of thunderstorms on the evening of May 5, which continues into May 6, with a 40% chance of showers that morning. In Columbus, there's a 60% chance of showers the evening of May 5, which grows to an 80% chance of May 6. Cincinnati may have the best chance of cooperative weather, with only a 30% chance of showers overnight May 5 continuing into May 6. Active from April 20 to May 21, per NASA, the Eta Aquarids appear to originate from the constellation Aquarius, giving the meteor shower its name. The meteors are known for their speed, and they can leave glowing "trains" — bits of debris in their wake — that can last for up to a full minute. They originate from debris left behind by Halley's Comet, which returns every 76 years and was last seen in 1986. Halley is often called the most famous comet because it marked the first time astronomers understood comets could be repeat visitors to the solar system, according to NASA. Scientists have now linked its appearances to observations dating back more than 2,000 years. Before Edmond Halley, an English astronomer who lived from 1656 to 1742, comets were believed to make only one pass through the solar system. In 1705, Halley used Isaac Newton's theories of gravitation and planetary motions to compute the orbits of several comets. He found similarities in the orbits of bright comets reported in 1531, 1607, and 1682. Halley suggested that they were a single comet making return trips. Halley correctly predicted the comet would return in 1758. History's first known "periodic" comet was later named in his honor. The big show every year is the Perseid meteor shower, which this year will peak from Aug. 12 to 13 with 50 to 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA. The Perseids appear to originate from the constellation Perseus and are considered to be the best meteor shower of the year, according to NASA. At their peak, the Perseids can generate up to 100 meteors per hour. These meteors originate from comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years and was last seen in 1992. Swift-Tuttle is large, with a nucleus measuring 16 miles wide. According to NASA, that's nearly twice the size of the object thought to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: When Eta Aquarids meteor shower 2025? Peak days, Ohio weather forecast
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How to best view the Eta Aquarids meteor shower that peaks tonight
Just two weeks after the Lyrids meteor shower, stargazers should get ready to see the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which is expected to light up the sky on Monday night and early Tuesday morning. For anyone in the southern hemisphere, this is the chance to see up to 60 meteors fly by every hour. Mark your calendars, because this will be the last major meteor shower for early 2025 until the Alpha Capricornids and the Southern Delta Aquarids overlap in late July. Meteor showers happen when the Earth passes through the dust and ice debris or tail of a comet, according to NASA. Arguably the most famous and visible ones are the Perseids, which peak every August. The Eta Aquarid meteors specifically come from comet 1P/Halley, aka Halley, one of the most famous comets. Each time Halley returns to the inner solar system, its debris results in the Eta Aquarids in May and the Orionids meteor shower in October. Halley itself takes 76 years to travel around the sun and will next be seen in Earth's sky sometime in 2061. What sets the Eta Aquarids apart from other meteors is how quickly they travel. It's an estimated 40.7 miles per second into the Earth's atmosphere, which causes glowing 'trains' in the wake of the meteor that can last for several minutes in the sky. While Eta Aquarid meteors are active from April 19 to May 28, their peak is May 5 to May 6, according to the American Meteor Society. 'Peak' means that about 50 meteors will be visible every hour compared with the usual rates of around 10 to 30 per hour. The Eta Aquarids are visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres during the early morning hours, although NASA says the southern hemisphere is a preferred location to see them more clearly since they'll be higher up in the sky. In the northern hemisphere, the Eta Aquarids seemingly 'skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon' for viewers. NASA recommends that viewers find a location away from city lights and streetlights to see the Eta Aquarids. For the best view, lie flat on your back with your feet facing east. NASA says that after about half an hour of looking at the night sky, your eyes will adapt and you'll likely be able to see the meteors.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
What time can you see the ETA Aquarids meteor shower? See peak days, weather forecast
What time can you see the ETA Aquarids meteor shower? See peak days, weather forecast The weather forecast is showing ideal conditions in the United States to view the ETA Aquarids when they peak May 5 and May 6. Show Caption Hide Caption Top astronomy events for May 2025 This May brings us a meteor shower visible around the world and a planetary alignment with our moon. The third major meteor shower of the year, the Aquarids meteors are considered the best shower of the year for the Southern Hemisphere. But the meteor shower can still be seen around the globe, where they are famed for the speedy balls of light they send shooting across the sky. This particular meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the dusty debris trail left by one of the most famous comets of them all: Halley's Comet. The ETA Aquarids is set to peak in early May less than two weeks since the last meteor shower lit up the night sky. The third major meteor shower of the year, the Aquarids meteors are considered the best shower of the year for the Southern Hemisphere. But the meteor shower can still be seen around the globe, where they are famed for the speedy balls of light they send shooting across the sky. And fortunately, the weather forecast is showing ideal conditions in the United States to view the ETA Aquarids – sometimes spelled as "Aquariids" – in 2025, which follow the Lyrids earlier in April and the Quadrantids in January. This particular meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the dusty debris trail left by one of the most famous comets of them all: Halley's Comet. The debris of Halley's Comet also causes the Orionids every October as its debris disintegrates in Earth's atmosphere to create the fiery, colorful meteors – known colloquially as "shooting stars." The Aquarids are also the last meteor shower until the end of July, when two are set to peak at the same time. Here's what to know about the ETA Aquarids meteor shower and how to watch it in 2025: 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 could still catch some up 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. The website Time and Date also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon. Will it be cloudy during the Aquarids meteor shower? Conditions look to be relatively ideal for viewing the Aquarids on both nights of the meteor shower's peak activity. Even the moon will be cooperating. Though Earth's natural satellite is in a waxing phase and will be more than 60% full on the peak nights, it should set plenty of hours before dawn to leave spectators with dark skies that will reveal the meteors. The National Weather Service shared graphics showing the cloud forecast across the U.S. overnight for both Monday and Tuesday. How to see the Aquarids 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. How many meteors will be visible per hour? 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. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@
