Annual Gift from Halley’s Comet
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will reach its peak this week marking an annual celestial event. The meteors in this shower originate from debris and dust left behind by the famous Halley’s Comet as it orbits the Sun. When these tiny particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed they create a spectacular display of shooting stars.
Moonlight Interferes with Viewing
While the shower itself is quite active this year’s viewing conditions are less than ideal. A bright full moon will rise in the night sky and its glare will significantly reduce meteor visibility. Astronomers suggest observers choose times when moonlight is relatively weaker such as the hours before dawn to improve their chances of success.
Under ideal conditions the Eta Aquarids can produce dozens of meteors per hour but due to moonlight interference the actual visible count may be greatly reduced. However experienced observers still have a chance to catch some bright fireballs.
Best Viewing Tips
Astronomers offer the following viewing advice: choose open areas far from city lights, observe during the one to two hours before dawn for best results, and observers do not need telescopes just use the naked eye to scan the entire sky. Meteors can appear in any direction but the radiant point is located near the constellation Aquarius.
Halley’s Comet is one of the most famous comets in the solar system returning approximately every seventy-six years. Its orbit is scattered with numerous debris fragments that cause two meteor showers each year. In addition to the Eta Aquarids in May the Orionids in October also originate from Halley’s Comet.
Sources: KSL News, The Guardian, Scientific American