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STARGAZERS UK will be enjoying a brilliant meteor shower in the night sky throughout this week, and we have all the information you need to detect it.
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower occurs every year as Earth passes through the tail of the famous Halley’s Comet, and one of its brightest projections for 2020 is scheduled for tonight.
What is the Eta Aquariids meteor shower?
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is usually active from April 19 to May 28 of each year.
Eta Aquarii, the brightest star in the constellation Aquarius, gives its name to the rain.
This is because meteorites seem to radiate from this direction.
The Eta Aquarids is actually one of only two meteor showers created by debris from Halley’s Comet.
Meteorites appear when dust and rocks collide with Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 150,000 mph.
Earth will traverse Halley’s path again in October, triggering the Orionid meteor shower.
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“Eta Aquarids peak at the beginning of May each year. Eta Aquarid meteors are known for their speed,” explains NASA.
“These meteors are fast: they travel at approximately 148,000 mph (66 km / s) in Earth’s atmosphere.
“Fast meteorites can leave shiny” trains “(incandescent fragments of debris from the meteorite) that last from several seconds to minutes.
“Overall, you can see 30 Eta Aquarid meteors per hour during their peak.”
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When is the Eta Aquariids meteor shower?
The best time to spot the shower is in the early morning.
During the peak, which should be around May 5 and 6, star gazers could see up to 30 meteors per hour.
However, a full waxed gibbous moon around this time could block the good show.
Try to block the Moon with the side of a building or other object so that you do not obscure the view of Eta Aquariids.
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How to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower
You shouldn’t need any special gear to see the meteor shower, but the clear skies will help.
Locating the constellation Aquarius may be helpful since meteors appear to radiate from there.
The show is generally best viewed in the southern hemisphere.
Stargazers in the northern hemisphere may notice more meteors if they look toward the horizon.
With locks all over the world, you may not be able to go somewhere dark and away from light pollution.
NASA previously gave some advice on how to make the most of your garden to take a meteor shower.
He advised: “Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair.
“Lie on your back with your feet to the east and look up, observing as much of the sky as possible.
“After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adjust and you will start to see meteorites.
“Be patient, the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to take a look.”
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What is Halley’s Comet?
Halley’s Comet or Halley’s Comet is one of the most famous comets, and was named after its discoverer, astronomer Edmond Halley.
He looked at the reports of an approaching comet in 1531, 1607, and 1682, and concluded that they were all the same.
Halley’s Comet is the only known short-period comet that is often visible to the naked eye from Earth.
Although its dust is seen regularly, the comet itself will not be seen until 2061.
What is the difference between an asteroid, a meteorite, and a comet?
Here’s what you need to know, according to NASA …
- Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits around the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter), but can be found anywhere (even on a path that can impact Earth)
- Meteoroid: When two asteroids collide with each other, the small pieces that fall off are called meteoroids.
- Meteorite: If a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere, it begins to evaporate and then turns into a meteorite. On Earth, it will look like a ray of light in the sky, because the rock is burning
- Meteorite: If a meteoroid does not completely evaporate and survive the journey through Earth’s atmosphere, it can land on Earth. At that point, it turns into a meteorite.
- Kite: Like asteroids, a comet orbits around the Sun. However, instead of being made primarily of rock, a comet contains a lot of ice and gas, which can lead to the formation of incredible tails behind them (thanks to vaporization from ice and dust)
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In other news, NASA recently revealed a rare image of a kite breaking.
The space agency has awarded grants for innovative space projects.
And we’ve put together some great photos of the Lyrid meteor shower taken last month.
Are you a fan of stargazing? Let us know in the comments …
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