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New York Times
05-05-2025
- Science
- New York Times
Watch a Meteor Shower Made by Halley's Comet
Our universe might be chock-full of cosmic wonder, but you can observe only a fraction of astronomical phenomena with your naked eye. Meteor showers, natural fireworks that streak brightly across the night sky, are one of them. The latest observable meteor shower will be the Eta Aquarids, which has been active since April 19 and is forecast to continue until May 28. The shower reaches its peak May 5 to 6, or Monday night into Tuesday morning. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is known for its fast fireballs, which occur as Earth passes through the rubble left by Halley's comet. Sometimes spelled Eta Aquariid, this shower is most easily seen from the southern tropics. But a lower rate of meteors will also be visible in the Northern Hemisphere close to sunrise. The moon will be nearly two-thirds full on the night of the show. To get a hint at when to watch, you can use a meter that relies on data from the Global Meteor Network showing when real-time fireball activity levels increase in the coming days. Where meteor showers come from There is a chance you might see a meteor on any given night, but you are most likely to catch one during a shower. Meteor showers are caused by Earth passing through the rubble trailing a comet or asteroid as it swings around the sun. This debris, which can be as small as a grain of sand, leaves behind a glowing stream of light as it burns up in Earth's atmosphere. Meteor showers occur around the same time every year and can last for days or weeks. But there is only a small window when each shower is at its peak, which happens when Earth reaches the densest part of the cosmic debris. The peak is the best time to look for a shower. From our point of view on Earth, the meteors will appear to come from the same point in the sky. The Perseid meteor shower, for example, peaks in mid-August from the constellation Perseus. The Geminids, which occur every December, radiate from the constellation Gemini. Bookmark the Times Space and Astronomy Calendar for reminders about meteor showers throughout the year. How to watch a meteor shower Michelle Nichols, the director of public observing at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, recommends forgoing the use of telescopes or binoculars while watching a meteor shower. 'You just need your eyes and, ideally, a dark sky,' she said. That's because meteors can shoot across large swaths of the sky, so observing equipment can limit your field of view. Some showers are strong enough to produce up to 100 streaks an hour, according to the American Meteor Society, though you likely won't see that many. 'Almost everybody is under a light polluted sky,' Ms. Nichols said. 'You may think you're under a dark sky, but in reality, even in a small town, you can have bright lights nearby.' Planetariums, local astronomy clubs or even maps like this one can help you figure out where to get away from excessive light. The best conditions for catching a meteor shower are a clear sky with no moon or cloud cover, at sometime between midnight and sunrise. (Moonlight affects visibility in the same way as light pollution, washing out fainter sources of light in the sky.) Make sure to give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to seeing in the dark. Ms. Nichols also recommends wearing layers, even during the summer. 'You're going to be sitting there for quite a while, watching,' she said. 'It's going to get chilly, even in August.' Bring a cup of cocoa or tea for even more warmth. Then lie back, scan the sky and enjoy the show.
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Here's How to See Eta Aquarids Meteor Spectacle
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Americans are preparing to witness the Eta Aquarid meteor shower light up the skies next week. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is an annual celestial event that peaks in early May, known for its fast and bright meteors. It is caused by debris left by Halley's comet, which Earth passes through during its orbit. When Can I See the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower? According to NASA, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower will peak on the morning of May 6. The shower is set to be most visible in the early hours before dawn, when it can be seen higher in the sky and viewing conditions are generally more favorable. The shower is better seen from the southern hemisphere, but this doesn't mean it won't be viewable from North America. "The constellation of Aquarius—home to the radiant of the Eta Aquarids—is higher up in the sky in the Southern Hemisphere than it is in the Northern Hemisphere," NASA said. "The Northern Hemisphere has an hourly rate of only about 10 meteors. This is due to the viewing location of the radiant from different latitudes." A Perseid meteor shower in the night sky above the Beskids in the Czech Republic. A Perseid meteor shower in the night sky above the Beskids in the Czech Republic. GETTY Best Viewing Conditions NASA advised finding somewhere "well away from city lights or street lights" to view the phenomenon. Clear skies make for the best conditions, as does finding a spot with a broad view of the sky, free from tall trees, buildings or mountains blocking the horizon. The moon is set to wax gibbous—meaning more than 50 percent illuminated—which may slightly reduce visibility when compared to a full moon. "Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible," NASA said on its website. "After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient—the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse." What Is a Meteor Shower? As Earth orbits the sun, it crosses paths several times a year with debris left behind by passing comets and, occasionally, asteroids. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower originates from the remnants of Halley's comet. The comet is also responsible for the Orionids, which can be seen in October. When these high-speed particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they face resistance from the air, causing them to heat up rapidly and burn. This process sometimes makes the surrounding air glow briefly, creating a fiery trail—what we commonly call a shooting star.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'The Old Farmer's Almanac' Just Released Its Meteor Shower Calendar for 2025
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." If you're part of the group that always hears about cosmic events after they happen, listen up! The Old Farmer's Almanac just released their meteor shower predictions for 2025 with dates, so you can plan ahead and set aside time to watch at least one this year, if not more. There's a lot to be excited about, as there are 12 meteor showers anticipated to be visible in 2025, including one on the first day of Diwali and another over Thanksgiving. Mark your calendars now, so you don't miss we dive into dates and times for this year's meteor showers, we should establish who's predicting them. That would be The Old Farmer's Almanac, a long-range resource used by farmers, gardeners and enthusiasts for insights into everything from planting to fishing to frost. Around since 1792, the Farmer's Almanac uses three sources of data, climatology, meteorology and solar science, to compile its various forecasts for the year. Now, you may be thinking, aren't meteor showers random? How can an almanac predict them as far out as the end of the year? Here's the thing: they're not as random as they seem. In fact, they occur more like clockwork. A meteor shower occurs when Earth crosses through a debris stream. Since it takes the Earth one year to orbit around the Sun, these intersections of Earth and comet debris tend to happen around the same time every year. This means the Farmer's Almanac can use the dates of past meteor showers to predict future ones, forecasting everything from the best meteor dates and peak viewing times to the number of showers per hour and the direction they originate from. While there are a few standout meteor showers to take note of this year, such as Perseid and Geminid because of their high projected meteor count, we made sure to compile a complete list of this year's cosmic events. That way, you'll know exactly when to be on the lookout. January 4: Quandrantid Best viewing time - Midnight to sunrise Meteors per hour - 25 Direction of origin - North April 22: Lyrid May 4: Eta Aquarid July 30: Delta Aquarid August 11-13: Perseid October 9: Draconid October 21-22: Orionid November 9: Northern Taurid November 17-18: Leonid November 25-27: Andromedid December 13-14: Geminid December 22: Ursid You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Hype Malaysia
29-04-2025
- Science
- Hype Malaysia
Stars Are Aligning With The New Orient Star M34 F8 Date
Orient Star has released two new M34 F8 Date models from the Contemporary Collection M34, featuring dial designs inspired by the Perseid meteor shower and a state-of-the-art high-performance movement mounted with a silicon escape wheel. One model is made using a world-first nanoparticle metal multilayering technology on a watch dial, a black dial limited to 160 pieces, while the other has a newly added green-coloured dial. The beautiful designs that express the vast depths of space enhance the appeal of Orient Star's flagship model. Contemporary Collection M34, inspired by the constellation Perseus with numerous meteors lighting up the night sky, offers the most diverse Orient Star line-up. The M34 F8 Date is a top-tier flagship model that showcases Orient Star's in-house watchmaking using advanced technologies. The M34 F8 Date features a classic design with three central hands, a date display at 3 o'clock, and a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock. The limited-edition black dial showcases the Perseid meteor shower using world-first nanoparticle metal multilayering technology. This innovative technique layers ultra-fine metal particles to create a deep, intricate design, while the hairline and mirror-finished hands and diamond-cut date window add contrast and dynamism to the dial. The green dial model features intricate stamped patterns inspired by the Perseid meteor shower. Using in-house developed optical multilayer film technology, the colours and patterns shift beautifully depending on the viewing angle, creating a deep-space effect that normal painted dials can't replicate. Each dial is crafted at the Dial Studio of the Shinshu Watch Studio in Nagano, Japan, where expert artisans handle everything from surface finishing to hand crafting, bringing Orient Star's high-precision designs to life. The M34 F8 Date features the in-house automatic calibre F8N64, equipped with a silicon escape wheel, a signature Orient Star technology. It offers impressive accuracy (+15/-5 seconds per day) and a 60-hour power reserve. The movement, with its chamfered Geneva stripes, sparkles through the see-through sapphire crystal case-back. The M34 F8 Date also features a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective SAR coating, a 40mm case inspired by Perseus, and a comfortable, durable stainless steel bracelet (SUS316L). With water resistance up to 10 bar, this timepiece combines stunning aesthetics with practical everyday functionality. Swing by Orient Star's official website for more details.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Rare smiley face will light up Pittsburgh-area sky on Friday morning
The moon, Saturn and Venus will create a rare smiley face in the sky later this week. Sometimes things line up in fun ways. That is set to happen early Friday morning in the night sky as the moon, Venus and Saturn will line up to create what will look like a smiley face. A Smile in the Sky is expected on April 25. Credit: Getty Images Venus and Saturn will be in just the correct spot in their revolution around the sun to match up with the waning crescent moon, making the smiley face appear. When will the smiley face in the sky be visible? Everything is expected to line up Friday morning around 5:30 a.m. If you are lucky enough to see it, you will need to tilt your head or rotate the photo a bit to make this truly look like a smile. The rare event will be visible to the naked eye, but a pair of binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view. A Smile in the Sky is expected on April 25. Credit: Getty Images Weather forecast for Friday's smiley face in the sky With rain approaching Western Pennsylvania, KDKA First Alert Meteorologist Ray Petelin is not sure the weather will want to cooperate, which will make for many frowns on Earth. Celestial events in 2025 Friday's alignment is the latest celestial event this year. The Lyrid meteor shower peaked overnight Monday into Tuesday morning, while March featured a total lunar eclipse, a Blood Moon and a partial solar eclipse. Later this year, the Perseid meteor shower will peak between Aug. 12 and Aug. 13. NASA calls it the "best meteor shower of the year."
