Summary
These shooting stars will be moving fast.
Aside from the northern lights, meteor showers are among the most beautiful celestial events to witness in the night sky. Over the next few days, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower will reach its peak intensity.
During a meteor shower, Earth traverses through a cloud of asteroid or comet debris, causing tiny pieces of rock and dust to burn up in the atmosphere. The result is dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of shooting stars igniting the night sky. For the Eta Aquariids, NASA reports that these meteors originate from Halley’s Comet, traveling up to 44 miles per second, zooming across the heavens.
If you aim to see the Eta Aquariids this weekend, here’s what you need to know about spotting them in the night sky.
When is the 2023 Eta Aquariids meteor shower?
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower occurs annually from April 15 to May 27. This year, the peak is expected to last until Sunday. At any time during the night, you may see up to 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the American Meteor Society. However, Space.com indicates there may be an outburst of more than 120 meteors per hour.
How to watch the Eta Aquariid meteor shower
To successfully witness shooting stars, simply escape from light pollution, gaze up at the night sky, and allow your eyes to adjust for 15 to 20 minutes. Consequently, as you observe the sky, you will hopefully spot these rapid meteors burning through the atmosphere. Since the moon will be nearly full, which may obscure some of the fainter meteors, it is advisable to head out during the pre-dawn hours, right after the moon has set. Remember, it is best to observe the sky with the naked eye rather than through binoculars or telescopes to ensure you have the widest field of view possible.
When is the next meteor shower?
The next meteor shower is the Delta Southern Aquariids, occurring from July 18 through August 21, peaking around July 30, best observed from the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the next significant meteor shower is the Perseids, renowned for being one of the best displays of the year, running from July 14 through September 1, with a peak around August 12.
