View of star trails and a meteor from the Eta Aquarids meteor shower of 2020 as seen from Cordoba, ... [+]
It’s time to find a dark sky, switch your smartphone off and look up—the peak of the Eta Aquariid (or Eta Aquarid) meteor shower is coming.
This medium-strength display of “shooting stars”—rated at about 30 per hour, but possibly as high as 50—is nevertheless set to be one of the most impressive of the year. That’s partly down to the moon, which won’t be in the sky during the peak night, rising only as a 10%-lit crescent moon just before sunrise on the morning after the peak.
The darker the sky, the more likely you’ll see the streaks left by meteors as they collide with Earth’s atmosphere. That makes 2024 an excellent year for the Eta Aqauriids—unlike in 2023, when they were marred by strong moonlight. However, it’s also because the debris stream could interact with Jupiter, perhaps causing higher rates of “shooting stars.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Eta Aquariids in 2024:
The Eta Aquariids peak early on May 5.
Eta Aquariids 2024: Dates And Times
Although it runs for almost six weeks—from April 15 through May 27—it’s the peak night that’s usually of interest if you want to see as many “shooting stars” as possible. That means being outside for an hour or so overnight on Saturday, May 4, through Sunday, May 5.
The source of the shower—the constellation Aquarius—will rise about 2:00 a.m. wherever you are, so be outside between then and dawn for the best chance.
However, the rates of Eta Aquariids are known to pick up a few nights before the peak night and last for a few nights after, so it’s worth having a look on any clear night from May 1 through May 7.
Eta Aquariids 2024: ‘Shooting Stars’
Caused by dust and debris left in the inner solar system by Halley’s comet, the Eta Aquariids are classed as a strong meteor shower when viewed from just below the equator and a medium meteor shower when viewed from north of the equator, according to the American Meteor Society. Expect between 10 and 30 fast-moving “shooting stars” per hour around, though there are reasons to think that more will be visible.
According to the AMS, the Eta Aquariids in 2024 could be “quite strong” because of interactions with Jupiter.
Halley's Comet over Uluru, outback Australia, 1986. (Photo by Impressions Photography/Getty Images)
Eta Aquariids 2024: Halley’s Comet
Meteors—also called “shooting stars”—are small pieces of rock or dust that burn up as they strike Earth’s atmosphere. Meteor showers are caused by the Earth passing through the dust-strewn orbit of a comet or asteroid.
The cause of this meteor shower is Halley’s comet. As comets enter the inner solar system to loop around the sun and head back into the outer solar system, their ice melts a little, releasing dust and small rocks. This stuff leaves a trail—a stream—that can move into Earth’s orbital path around the sun, resulting in a meteor shower.
How To See ‘Shooting Stars’
Here are some tips on seeing meteor showers from NASA:
- Get as far away from urban light pollution as possible (preferably to an International Dark Sky Park).
- Find a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the night sky.
- Dress warmly—it may get very cold.
- Be patient and watch for at least half an hour, preferably on a reclining chair or ground pad.
- Don’t use a telescope or binoculars—they greatly reduce your chances of seeing “shooting stars.”
- Avoid looking at your cellphone or any other white light—it will destroy your night vision. Use red light only.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
