Prepare for one of the best meteor showers of the year, astronomy fans: the Eta Aquariids are about to reach their peak, according to NASA.
The rain will reach its peak Sunday night, although meteors from the shower will be visible throughout the week, NASA said. The peak occurs near a new moon, which means the sky will be darker and it will be easier to see meteors.
When and where to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower
The best time to observe the meteor shower is at night from Sunday to Monday. The shower will be visible in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres before dawn, although the best visual experience will be in the Southern Hemisphere. Viewers in the Southern Hemisphere can catch 40 meteors per hour, while in the Northern Hemisphere they will see 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
Eta Aquarid meteors in the Northern Hemisphere are often Earthgrazers – long meteors that appear to skim the Earth’s surface on the horizon.
To get the best view, head to an area away from city lights or street lamps. NASA recommends lying on your back with your feet facing east. It will take about 30 minutes in the dark for your eyes to adjust enough to see the meteors.
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“Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch a glimpse,” NASA said.
After the peak, showers will continue until May 27.
What makes Eta Aquariids special?
Eta Aquariids are known for their speed. NASA notes that fast-moving meteors can leave behind light trails, which can last from several seconds to a few minutes. The Eta Aquariids travel 44 miles per second.
The Eta Aquariids meteors come from space debris from Halley’s Comet. Halley throws a layer of ice and rock into space every time it returns to the inner solar system. The released space dust forms two meteor showers per year: the Eta Aquarids in May and the Orionids in October.
What are meteor showers?
While meteors – space rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere – streak across the sky each night, meteor showers occur less frequently. Many meteors strike Earth’s atmosphere over a short period of time during meteor showers. As meteors pass through the atmosphere, they leave behind trails of light caused by hot, glowing air.
Most meteors burn up as they fall, but some survive the journey and reach Earth. They are meteorites.
Look up: what else can you see in the sky this spring?
Astronomy fans can admire the Flower Moon this month as the May full moon rises. The May full moon will reach peak illumination on May 23, according to NASA. The Old Farmer’s Almanac details specific moonrise times for different zip codes across the United States.
The May full moon is the last full moon of spring. The June full moon reaches its peak illumination on June 21, one day after the summer solstice.
The next meteor shower will occur in the southern Aquariid Delta in July, according to the American Meteor Society.
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