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Skywatchers in the US, UK, and Canada had a chance to witness the peak of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower yesterday. Up to 50 ‘shooting stars’ per hour were seen in some areas. These “meteors” are really debris from Halley’s Comet which is burning up as it enters Earth’s atmosphere.

The meteor shower will be in the sky from April 15 to May 27. It peaks May 4 through May 8.

The peak coincides with a new moon, providing darker skies for better visibility of the “shooting stars.”

In 2022, the Eta Aquariids peak was drowned out by a bright full Moon. This year the meteor shower peaks May 4 through May 8. It coincides with a new moon, which provides darker skies for better visibility of the “shooting stars.”

Try to sneak a peek while you can. Because the next time the Eta Aquariids light show appears is in about 20 years from now in 2044.

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Eta Aquariid Meteor shower

According to Bill Cooke, the head of the Meteoroid Environment Office at the NASA Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said “Many of the shooting stars we see this year are actually caused by material from Halley’s Comet that is around 3,000 years old.”

As the Halley’s Comet debris hits the atmosphere streaks of light are visible across the sky. When the Earth moves through concentrated clumps of the meteor material it creates an outburst. The next time the eta Aquariids will outburst is about 20 years from now in 2044.

 Grains of cosmic dust streak through night skies during April and May. To really top off this year’s event, the new Moon aligns with the peak nights, so there will be no light interference to obscure the fainter meteors. 

Keep in mind that cloudy skies also limit visibility. In North central Texas the clouds veiled the comets on May 5-7. But it should be cloud-free on the 8th and 9th.

There’s only one problem the best viewing time is from 4 a.m. to dawn. You will be able to see the glowing in the early evening. But the constellation Aquarius doesn’t rise until around 4 a.m. 

Unlike 2022, this year the early morning hours should be free of moonlight interference. 

Set the alarm and get ready for a meteor shower experience.  A telescope or binoculars are optional.

To catch the best views, find a dark location away from city lights and look toward the eastern horizon before dawn.