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The rain of ETA Aquariid meteors is about to reach your peak: it’s already this week, and if you are a fan of cosmic dust it’s worth putting the alarm clock for early.
Between May 5th and 6th the sky will shine more: it is the effect of the meteor rain of ETA Aquariid, which remains until the end of the month (until about May 28) but it will be easier to observe this week.
A rain of meteors, which leaves a trail of brilliant cosmic dust behind it, is the result of our planet’s passage through debris cloud Left by an asteroid or comet, remember the. In the case of ETA Aquariid, it is the comet 1p/Halley, which It appears every 76 years.
The name of this star rain comes from the fact that its radiant (the place where the debris usually fall) is close to the constellation of Aquarius. Thus, cosmic rain will be stronger in the southern hemisphere, where it will be possible to see 50 to 60 meteors per hour.
In the northern hemisphere, however, you should see the phenomenon well at night. At the time before dawn, they can “rain” 30 meteors per hour.
During the peak, the moon will be 64% full, but recalls Science Alert, this will not be a problem, as it sets before the last few hours of the morning, the best time to watch the phenomenon.
On the night from May 5 to 6, for example, between 4 and 5 am the visibility of this phenomenon in Portugal will be excellent, and throughout the week it will be possible to see Eta Aquariid. You can consult visibility for other dates or places.
