CHRISTINA LARSON (AP Science Writer)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, remains of Halley’s comet, will reach its peak this weekend. And with only a decreasing crescent moon in the sky, it should be possible to see it.
The Eta Aquarids happen every year in early May. This year’s highest activity is expected early Sunday with around 10 to 30 meteors visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. The viewing should be even better in the Southern Hemisphere. The shower will last until May 27.
Here’s what you should know about the Eta Aquarids and other occurrences of meteor showers.
What exactly is a meteor shower?
Various meteor showers happen every year and you don’t need special equipment to observe them.
Most meteor showers come from the remains of comets. The source of the Eta Aquarids is Halley’s comet.
When rocks from space enter Earth’s atmosphere, the air resistance makes them very hot. This causes the air around them to glow and momentarily leaves a fiery tail behind them — this is the end of a “shooting star.”
The bright areas of air around fast-moving space rocks, which range from the size of a tiny particle to a large rock, may be visible in the night sky.
How to observe a meteor shower
Meteor showers are generally most visible between midnight and the early morning hours.
It’s simpler to see shooting stars in dark areas away from city lights. Meteor showers also appear brightest on cloudless nights when the moon is smallest.
The Southern Hemisphere will have the best view of Eta Aquarids, but a waning moon, only 14% full, will allow for clear viewing in both hemispheres, according to the American Meteor Society.
When is the next meteor shower?
The meteor society maintains an updated list of upcoming major meteor showers, including the peak viewing days and moonlight conditions.
The next major event will be the Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower, which reaches its peak in late July.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
