The Eta Aquarid meteor shower begins/ The rare celestial phenomenon that can also be seen in Europe

2025-05-03 22:44:00, Kuriozitete CNA

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower begins/ The rare celestial phenomenon that can

Stargazers will be in for a treat this month as the Eta Aquarid meteor shower lights up the skies of Europe. Up to 30 to 40 meteors per hour can appear in the pre-dawn sky, with the show peaking on May 5. Occurring annually, the Eta Aquarid shower occurs when Earth passes through the debris left behind by Halley's Comet.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower begins/ The rare celestial phenomenon that can

What are Eta Aquarids?

As Earth orbits the Sun, several times a year, it passes through debris left behind by comets and sometimes asteroids that pass by. The source of the Eta Aquarids is debris from Halley's Comet.

When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up.

Sometimes the surrounding air briefly glows, leaving behind a fiery tail, the end of a falling star.

You don't need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that fall every year, a place away from city lights is enough.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower begins/ The rare celestial phenomenon that can

When can you expect to see them?

They are best seen in the southern hemisphere due to their location in the constellation Aquarius - hence the name Aquarids - which favors viewing from southern parts of the world.

In the northern hemisphere, they can still be seen, but conditions are less favorable.

During Tuesday morning's peak, if you live in Europe and North America, you can expect to see between 10 and 15 meteors per hour under ideal viewing conditions.

This compares to over 50 per hour in southern regions, according to the International Meteor Organization (IMO) Meteor Calendar.

However, the Moon will be nearly two-thirds full, which is likely to reduce visibility. The viewing lasts until May 28.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower begins/ The rare celestial phenomenon that can

How do you see a meteor shower?

The best time to see a meteor shower is in the early hours of dawn, when the moon is low in the sky.

Competing light sources, such as a bright moon or artificial lighting, are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights, when the moon is at its lowest, are optimal viewing opportunities.

And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you're not checking your phone.

The next major meteor shower, the Southern Delta Aquarids, peaks in late July. /CNA