The Eta Aquariid meteor shower will be visible from this weekend



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So this particular shower should see shooting stars light up the UK skies this weekend, peaking on Tuesday night.

If you are lucky, and the sky is clear, then you should be able to see dozens of meteorites crashing into the sky every hour while the event is ongoing.

Credit: PA
Credit: PA

Eta Aquariids are created by the debris left by Halley’s Comet and is an annual event every April and May.

At the top, you can see up to 40 meteors per hour.

All you need to witness this spectacular cosmic is a comfortable chair and the willingness to sit outside for a few hours.

That’s right, no binoculars or telescope are required. Take that, Dr. Brian Cox.

The meteor shower is named after the constellation Aquarius, which is the part of the sky you will need to look at in order to see them.

Credit: PA
Credit: PA

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That is with specific reference to the star Eta Aquarii.

Of course, the problem is that this meteor shower will look better in the southern hemisphere, but there is still a chance for the rest of us in the north.

The Greenwich Royal Observatory suggests that for the best conditions, you want to find a “safe place away from street lights and other sources of light pollution.”

NASA also suggests that you lie on your back to maximize the amount of sky you can see.

Oh, and your neck will thank you too.

Credit: PA
Credit: PA

Plus, you also want to have a full sky scan, rather than just looking in one direction.

Focusing on one place can mean you miss out on some of the action.

If you are in Australia then you are in luck as it is apparently the most beneficial angle to see the shower in full force.

University of Melbourne physicist Clare Kenyon told ABC: “Actually, it’s better not to have a team,

“You don’t want a telescope, you don’t want binoculars, you don’t want to get anywhere in the sky. It’s the ideal stargazing activity to start with because you don’t need equipment except maybe a blanket and a thermos.”

There you go, settle in and enjoy a night.

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