This year, the conditions are perfect for viewing the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. If you’ve been asking, “How do I see the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower?” then read on!
This year, it will be a first quarter moon which means it will be lovely and dark to see bright and faint meteors in the early hours of the morning.
The Eta Aquarids are active from 19th April to 28th May, peaking on 6th May. It’s predicted that there will be up to 40 meteors per hour at the peak of activity. It’s also worth trying to see this meteor shower on the nights either side.
When and where to look:
The Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower is active from 19th April to 28th May. The peak of about 40 meteors/hour is from 3am on 6th May. Look in the east for the radiant point of this meteor shower.
The Moon will be at its first quarter phase during the Eta Aquarids this year. The moon will have set and this means that bright and faint meteors will be visible under dark sky conditions. Make sure you escape city light pollution and find a spot in country WA to view this one.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor (commonly called a “shooting star”) is an unexpected, brief streak of light seen in our night sky. It’s caused when space debris, travelling up to 75km per second, enters Earth’s atmosphere. The debris can be as small as a grain of sand which burns up in the atmosphere and causes a bright streak of light to appear briefly in our night sky.
A meteor shower is a celestial spectacle where large numbers of meteors, or “shooting stars”, streak across the night sky. These dazzling events occur when Earth passes through the the trail of debris left by a comet or other object that has come into our Solar System and orbited around the Sun. Visible to the naked eye, meteor showers offer a mesmerizing display of bright streaks, adding a touch of cosmic wonder to the night.
Where’s the best place to see the meteor shower?
The best place to see a meteor shower is away from bright city lights and when the night sky is dark with no moonlight. Bright moonlight and light pollution makes it harder to see fainter meteors, however you may still be able to see the brighter ones.
Travel out to a dark sky location at one of WA’s Astrotourism Towns. If you’re an astrophotographer, it is an excellent opportunity to image meteors over some of WA’s iconic landscapes. Where are WA’s Astrotourism Towns?
You don’t need a telescope or binoculars to see a meteor shower. It’s a great time to gather with friends, roll out your favourite picnic rug, pack the drinks and snacks, and start counting how many “shooting stars” you all see! The predicted hourly rate of meteors presumes you’re viewing them in a perfectly dark sky and that the shower is directly overhead. Fingers crossed for a spectacular show!
Something interesting
Meteor showers are named after the constellation where the “shooting stars” appear to be coming from. In the case of the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower, the meteors come from the direction of the constellation Aquarius. If you have a handy smart phone app that helps you identify objects in the night sky, search for the constellation, and you’ll be looking in the right direction.
You might like to…
Become a citizen scientist and report meteor sightings! If you happen to see a very bright meteor (often referred to as a “fireball”), WA’s Fireballs in the Sky team based at Curtin University would love to know! Report your fireball sighting with the International Meteor Organization.
The International Meteor Organization is a great place to discover more about all things meteors. Check out their Meteor Shower Calendar. You might even like to become a member!