Latest news with #ShaunaEdson
Euronews
05-05-2025
- Science
- Euronews
How you can catch the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower from Europe
ADVERTISEMENT Billed as one of the best meteor showers of the year, the annual appearance of the Eta Aquarids always has skygazers in a fervour. Born from the debris of Halley's comet, which swings near the Earth every 75 years, "Halley's crumbs" are set to peak on Tuesday and will be more vivid in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere. But that doesn't necessarily mean it will be impossible to see them in Europe. Related Scientists find 'strongest sign to date' of possible life on a distant planet When this meteor shower lights up the night sky, "you'll know that Earth is crossing the path of the most famous comet," said Shauna Edson of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The Eta Aquarids are "pretty fast meteors," said NASA's Bill Cooke. What are the Eta Aquarids? As the Earth orbits the Sun, several times a year, it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Eta Aquarids is the debris from Halley's comet. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail - the end of a "shooting star". You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. Related What was the glowing blue spiral seen in the night sky above Europe? When can you expect to see them? They are better seen in the southern hemisphere due to the location they originate from in the Water of Aquarius constellation - hence the name aquarids - which favours viewing from southern parts of the world. In the northern hemisphere, they can still be seen, but the conditions are less favourable. During Tuesday morning's peak, if you live in Europe and North America, you can expect to see between 10 to 15 meteors per hour in ideal viewing conditions, said Cooke. This is compared to over 50 per hour in southern regions, according to the Meteor Calendar of the International Meteor Organisation (IMO). It added that it was more likely that the shower would produce a greater number of meteor trains - the trail of ionised gas behind the meteor - than fireballs. However, the Moon will be nearly two-thirds full, which will likely reduce visibility. ADVERTISEMENT Viewing of the shower lasts until May 28. Related Scientists using Google Cloud discover new asteroids that could wipe out entire cities How do you view a meteor shower? The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light, such as a bright moon or artificial glow, are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren't checking your phone. ADVERTISEMENT The next major meteor shower, the Southern Delta Aquarids, peaks in late July.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How you can catch the peak of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower from Europe
Billed as one of the best meteor showers of the year, the annual appearance of the Eta Aquarids always has skygazers in a fervour. Born from the debris of Halley's comet, which swings near the Earth every 75 years, "Halley's crumbs" are set to peak on Tuesday and will be more vivid in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere. But that doesn't necessarily mean it will be impossible to see them in Europe. Related Scientists find 'strongest sign to date' of possible life on a distant planet When this meteor shower lights up the night sky, "you'll know that Earth is crossing the path of the most famous comet," said Shauna Edson of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The Eta Aquarids are "pretty fast meteors," said NASA's Bill Cooke. As the Earth orbits the Sun, several times a year, it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Eta Aquarids is the debris from Halley's comet. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail - the end of a "shooting star". You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. Related What was the glowing blue spiral seen in the night sky above Europe? They are better seen in the southern hemisphere due to the location they originate from in the Water of Aquarius constellation - hence the name aquarids - which favours viewing from southern parts of the world. In the northern hemisphere, they can still be seen, but the conditions are less favourable. During Tuesday morning's peak, if you live in Europe and North America, you can expect to see between 10 to 15 meteors per hour in ideal viewing conditions, said Cooke. This is compared to over 50 per hour in southern regions, according to the Meteor Calendar of the International Meteor Organisation (IMO). It added that it was more likely that the shower would produce a greater number of meteor trains - the trail of ionised gas behind the meteor - than fireballs. However, the Moon will be nearly two-thirds full, which will likely reduce visibility. Viewing of the shower lasts until May 28. Related Scientists using Google Cloud discover new asteroids that could wipe out entire cities The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light, such as a bright moon or artificial glow, are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren't checking your phone. The next major meteor shower, the Southern Delta Aquarids, peaks in late July.
India Today
02-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Eta Aquarid Meteor shower peaks this May: How to see Halley's Comet's debris
Halley's Comet makes a noticeable visit around our planet every 75 years, but the remains of debris provide an ever-smaller display of magic on a regular basis. One of the brightest annual traditions for its celestial symbol is the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which takes place annually each to Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's Shauna Edson, 'When you view those meteors, you are actually watching the planet cross paths with the world's most popular comet.'advertisementAccording to NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke, the Eta Aquarids are known for their speed and brilliance. At their peak, expected early Tuesday morning, viewers may witness between 10 to 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. However, this year's visibility may be affected by a bright moon, which will be nearly two-thirds full, potentially washing out the fainter meteors. As reported by the AP, the shower continues through May 28, providing observers with over two weeks to glimpse the sky's showers occur when Earth passes through trails of debris left by comets or asteroids. The source for the Eta Aquarids is Halley's Comet. Since this debris enters the atmosphere at high velocities, it gets heated and burns up due to friction with the air. This causes the bright flashes that we call "shooting stars." Sometimes, the incandescent air shines very brightly, leaving a trailing line behind in the sky at special equipment or telescope is required to see the meteor shower. The most important thing is to go to a dark place that has no city lights. The most favorable time is in the early morning hours just before sunrise when the moon is low and the sky is at its advise putting away devices and allowing your eyes to adapt to the dark to get the most out of you miss the Eta Aquarids, don't worry in late July you will see the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower peak, giving you a second opportunity to witness nature's fireworks display.
France 24
02-05-2025
- Science
- France 24
🌟The Bright Side: How to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower left by Halley's comet
Halley's comet swings near Earth every 75 years. But debris left by the comet leads to two major meteor showers every year including the Eta Aquarids. When this meteor shower lights up the night sky, 'you'll know that Earth is crossing the path of the most famous comet', said Shauna Edson of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The Eta Aquarids are 'pretty fast meteors' said NASA 's Bill Cooke. During Tuesday morning's peak, expect to see 10 to 15 meteors per hour in ideal viewing conditions, said Cooke. However, the moon will be nearly two-thirds full, which will likely reduce visibility. Viewing lasts until May 28. Here's what to know about the Eta Aquarids and other meteor showers. As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Eta Aquarids is debris from Halley's comet. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail – the end of a 'shooting star.' You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light – such as a bright moon or artificial glow – are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren't checking your phone. The next major meteor shower, the Southern Delta Aquarids, peaks in late July.
NBC News
02-05-2025
- Science
- NBC News
How to see Halley's comet debris in the Eta Aquarid meteor shower
Halley's comet swings near Earth every 75 years. But debris left by the comet leads to two major meteor showers every year including the Eta Aquarids. When this meteor shower lights up the night sky, 'you'll know that Earth is crossing the path of the most famous comet,' said Shauna Edson of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The Eta Aquarids are 'pretty fast meteors' said NASA's Bill Cooke. During Tuesday morning's peak, expect to see 10 to 15 meteors per hour in ideal viewing conditions, said Cooke. However, the moon will be nearly two-thirds full, which will likely reduce visibility. Viewing lasts until May 28. Here's what to know about the Eta Aquarids and other meteor showers. What is a meteor shower? As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Eta Aquarids is debris from Halley's comet. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a 'shooting star.' You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights. How to view a meteor shower The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light — such as a bright moon or artificial glow — are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren't checking your phone. When is the next meteor shower?
