Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower: Catch the Halley's Comet Showers!

Hey stargazers! Get ready for a celestial treat. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is gracing our skies from April 19th to May 28th, 2025. And you know what's super cool? These meteors are actually debris from Halley's Comet! How awesome is that?

The peak viewing nights are expected to be May 5th and 6th, so mark your calendars. But what can you really expect to see? Let's dive in.

Last Updated: 2025-05-06

Prime Time & Viewing Tips

Wanna see the most meteors? NASA recommends aiming for around 2 a.m. local time on May 6th. However, MYSA (Malaysian Space Agency) thinks midnight on May 6th until sunrise is the sweet spot. So, who's right? Maybe both! The peak can stretch over several days, so try both nights!

Now, the moon might try to steal the show. Its light could wash out some of the fainter meteors. But here's the good news: the moon dips out around 3 a.m. on May 6th, leaving us with dark skies until dawn. Score!

Did you know? Under ideal conditions, you could spot up to 50 meteors per hour! But with some moonlight, expect more like 10-15.

To maximize your chances, escape those pesky city lights. Lie flat on your back, feet pointing east, and gaze away from the moon. Give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. Resist the urge to check your phone – bright lights are the enemy! Bring a blanket or chair for comfort; meteor watching is a marathon, not a sprint!

Find a dark spot away from city lights.
Lie flat and face east.
Let your eyes adjust – patience is key!

Where to Look & What to Expect

The constellation Aquarius is where these meteors appear to originate, also known as the radiant. For the best view of the long trails, look about 40 degrees away from the radiant towards the zenith (the point directly overhead). Southern Hemisphere folks are in luck – you'll have the best view because Aquarius is higher in your sky. Sorry, Northern Hemisphere buddies, but you might still see around 10 meteors per hour.

These aren't your average shooting stars; the Eta Aquarids are known for their speed (around 65.4 kilometers per second!) and for leaving glowing trails in their wake. Keep an eye out for those persistent streaks across the sky!

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is ready to put on a show. Will the weather cooperate? Who knows! But even if you only see a few meteors, it's still a great excuse to get outside, look up, and ponder the vastness of space. Plus, you're watching debris from a comet that last visited our inner solar system in 1986. That's kinda mind-blowing, isn't it?