Catch A Falling Star
May 2nd 2008 08:16
The Month of May looks very promising for Aquarids meteor shower. There are several meteor showers in the Southern Hemisphere during the year, the Eta Aquarids in May are one of the best. Most meteor showers come from left over fragments of passing comets. In this case the Eta Aquarids are dust particles left behind from comet Halley as it passes through our inner Solar System every 76 years. Earth crosses the orbital path of Halley’s comet every May and October. Over the centuries Halley’s dust particals have spread out along its orbit. The meteors we see now days aren't from Halley's last passage to Earth in 1986 the meteors we now are remnants of dust deposited centuries ago. (when we intersect Halley's orbit again in October this, the meteors we see are called the Orionids).
To see the Eta Aquarids, step outside a few hours before dawn and look towards the east northeast. Appearing to emanate from the constellation Aquarius, the radiant of the meteor shower will be rising in the pre dawn hours, allowing more and more meteors to be seen.
Meteor watching is best done with the unaided eye. This year, the Eta Aquarids are predicted to peak around 4am (Eastern Standard Time) on the morning on Tuesday May 6th. With New Moon the day before, there will be no moonlight at all to interfere with observations. Under dark skies, expect to see nearly one meteor per minute.
When is the best time to see Eta Aquarids shower?
Unfortunately the best time is around 4am (Eastern Standard Time) on the morning on Tuesday May 6th.
The Eta Aquarids themselves are active from April 19 May 28, with a period from May 3 10 when 30 or more per hour may be seen under ideal conditions, so take the opportunity to look for them over several days (nights)
Particular interest in the Eta Aquarids this year stems from a possible 12 year periodicity in the strength of the meteor shower. There are predictions that the Eta Aquarids could show high rates during the years 2008 2010.
This year the number of meteors seen should be higher than normal. There are other, weaker meteor showers going on around the same time as the Eta Aquarids. The Eta Aquarids generally appear to move fast for the Constellation of Aquarius.
To see the Eta Aquarids, step outside a few hours before dawn and look towards the east northeast. Appearing to emanate from the constellation Aquarius, the radiant of the meteor shower will be rising in the pre dawn hours, allowing more and more meteors to be seen.
Meteor watching is best done with the unaided eye. This year, the Eta Aquarids are predicted to peak around 4am (Eastern Standard Time) on the morning on Tuesday May 6th. With New Moon the day before, there will be no moonlight at all to interfere with observations. Under dark skies, expect to see nearly one meteor per minute.
When is the best time to see Eta Aquarids shower?
Unfortunately the best time is around 4am (Eastern Standard Time) on the morning on Tuesday May 6th.
The Eta Aquarids themselves are active from April 19 May 28, with a period from May 3 10 when 30 or more per hour may be seen under ideal conditions, so take the opportunity to look for them over several days (nights)
Sky Map of predicted meteor showers
This year the number of meteors seen should be higher than normal. There are other, weaker meteor showers going on around the same time as the Eta Aquarids. The Eta Aquarids generally appear to move fast for the Constellation of Aquarius.
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