06-05-2025
Can you see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower in Oregon? Time, what to know
This week, the Eta Aquarids annual meteor shower will reach its peak.
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower began on April 20 and is known to peak in early May.
This year, it will become most active beginning on the evening of May 5 and into the early morning on May 6.
Here's what to know about the meteor shower and the best times to watch.
This year, the Eta Aquarids are set to peak May 5-6 during the hours between midnight and dawn as Earth passes through the densest part of Halley's cosmic debris, according to the American Meteor Society.
The Eta Aquarids meteors have an hourly rate of approximately 10 meteors and are known be seen as "Earthgrazers," or long meteors that appear to skim the surface of the Earth's horizon, according to NASA.
The meteor shower is located in the Aquarius constellation and can be viewed in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Between May 5-6, Oregon is predicted to have mostly clear skies, with a 1-28% chance of cloud cover beginning at 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Oregon is home to seven dark sky places including:
Oregon Outback, eastern Lake County - International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Sisters - International Dark Sky Community
Antelope - International Dark Sky Community
Prineville Reservoir State Park - International Dark Sky Park
Cottonwood Canyon State Park - International Dark Sky Park
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve: International Dark Sky Park
Sunriver - International Dark Sky Development of Distinction
Additionally, Crater Lake National Park was recently ranked the No.1 best national park in the United States for stargazing.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@ or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: When is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower in Oregon? Time, what to know
