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Sky watchers can look forward to an exciting month of cosmic phenomena, starting with a meteor shower to mark a beautiful start to Cinco de Mayo. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is expected to peak in the early hours of Tuesday, May 5.
With most people trapped inside, isolating themselves due to the coronavirus pandemic, May’s celestial events present a much-needed opportunity to connect with nature.
What are Eta Aquarids?
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks every year in early May as Earth traverses the debris trail of Halley’s Comet (1P / Halley). The Orionid meteor shower in October also originates from this comet.
The famous Halley’s Comet is visible from Earth approximately every 76 years. It was last seen in 1986 and will not be visible again until 2061.
Every year when the Earth collides with the comet’s orbit, the vaporizing debris reaches our atmosphere at a whopping 148,000 miles per hour, according to NASA, making meteorites well known for their speed. Fast meteorites tend to leave “trains” of shiny dust behind them, producing magnificent “shooting stars”.
Under normal conditions, the annual meteor shower generally produces around 30 meteors per hour. It is named for its radiant, or source address, which appears to come from the constellation Aquarius.
The Eta Aquarids are one of the best meteor showers of the year for people in the southern hemisphere because Aquarius is highest in the sky there. However, it is also visible in the northern hemisphere.
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When and where to watch the Eta Aquarids
The shower is visible in both hemispheres, with the best viewing just before sunrise. It is not necessary to locate the radiant point to see it; all you need to do is look up.
Viewing in the southern hemisphere is preferable but not necessary. From the northern hemisphere, shooting stars often appear as “herbivores” – long meteorites that appear to skim the Earth’s surface near the horizon.
To see any meteor shower, it is always recommended to escape from the harsh city lights and find an open area. Lie on your back with your feet to the east and look up, allowing your eyes to adjust for about 30 minutes in the dark.
Be patient and don’t forget a blanket!
Unfortunately, rain peaks near the full moon, so only the brightest shooting stars can be seen. On May 7, the “Super Flower Moon” arrives just in time for the spring flowers to bloom. It will be the fourth and last supermoon of 2020.
