Tonight, May 6, will be the peak night to watch the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, so when and where is the best time to enjoy this natural phenomenon?
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What are the Eta Aquariids?
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which is named after the Aquarius constellation, derives from the debris of Halley’s Comet. Halley’s Comet is a comet that is seen every 76 yearsaccording to NASA. it was last seen in 1986 and is expected to be seen in 2061.
When are the Eta Aquriids?
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower started on May 4 and finished on May 27. Tonight (May 6) is the shower’s peak, where you will be able to see up to 50 meteors in an hour. The best time to see the Eta Aquariids is just before dawn, so you will have to get up early if you plan on watching the shower.
Where is the best place to watch the Eta Aquariids?
According to NASA, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower will be visible everywhere but will be more noticeable in the Southern Hemisphere, where they will rise highest.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the shower will still be visible, but according to NASA that will only ‘skim’ the Earth’s horizon and be seen as ‘earthgrazers’. If you do plan on watching the meteor shower, you won't need any specialist equipment.
For the UK, the weather conditions should be favourable to watch the Eta Aquriids meteor shower according to the Met Office.
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