[ad_1]
Not long ago, the Lyrids Meteor Shower lit up a dark night sky and star gazers will enjoy a view of more shooting stars. The Eta Aquarids, one of two annual meteor showers originating from the famous Halley’s Comet, are here. But unfortunately the sky will not be dark since the Full Moon is just around the corner.
Meteor showers can be observed every year between April 19 and May 28, and the peak generally occurs in early May. According to TimeAndDate, the Eta Aquarids will be visible in India and this year the peak will occur on the night of May 5.
Where do Eta Aquarids come from?
Eta Aquarids get their name from one of the brightest stars in the constellation Aquarius, Eta Aquarii. As you may have guessed, Aquarius is the radiant, the region in the night sky where meteors apparently originate. In fact, Eta Aquarids is one of seven meteor showers that appear to come from the constellation Aquarius.
But of course the actual source of the meteor shower is Halley’s Comet, also known as 1P / Halley. Discovered by Edmund Halley in 1705, the comet follows a 75-year orbit around the Sun and leaves a trail of ice and rock along the way.
As seen in other meteor showers, when Earth, along its orbit around the Sun, traverses the path, debris enters our atmosphere. Space debris disintegrates and creates the continuous spectacle of cosmic fireworks in the night sky.
But throughout its orbit, Earth passes through the trail left by Halley’s Comet twice a year in May and October. Yes, apart from the Eta Aquarids, another annual meteor shower event, the Orionids also originate from Halley’s Comet.
SEE ALSO: NASA’s Spitzer witnessed the flare of two “dancing black holes”
What is special about Eta Aquarids?
Eta Aquarids are not as bright as the Perseids, the brightest meteor showers, and not even the most prolific meteor showers originating from Halley’s Comet. But according to NASA, “Eta Aquarid meteorites are known for their speed.”
These nimble meteorites travel to Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 148,000 mph (66 km / s) leaving a bright trail called “trains” that are visible for several seconds. Eta Aquarids appear as herbivores: long meteorites that apparently graze the Earth’s surface along the horizon.
While we have to wait a long time to witness Halley’s Comet trail beyond Earth in 2061, the Eta Aquarids trails (rather than trains) can be seen every year. But in 2020, the brightness of the trains could be hampered as the night of the peak is closer to the Full Moon. The “Super Flower Moon” will rise on May 7, Thursday, just two days from the expected peak of the meteor shower on Tuesday night.
How to see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower?
While a pair of binoculars or even a telescope in true stargazer form would provide a better zooming experience, no special equipment is required to watch. You will be able to find any meteor showers in the region of its radiant, so the Eta Aquarids will appear around the region of the constellation Aquarius in the night sky.
For people in the southern hemisphere, the constellation Aquarius is higher in the night sky than for people in the northern hemisphere. You can find where to look in the night sky to observe the Eta Aquarids here.
SEE ALSO: What Astronomers Thought An Exoplanet Could Be The Result Of Two Colliding Asteroids
In addition, clear skies are observed away from city lights and patience when meteor showers are observed. During the peak, Eta Aquarids have a zenith hourly rate of up to 30 or more meteors depending on location. But this is the ideal maximum and the actual visible rates can be around 10 meteors per hour.
