Eta Aquariid meteor shower to light up the sky

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is set to reach its peak in the evening of May 5 into the next morning. Most meteor showers originate from comets, and this one is linked to Halley's Comet, the first periodic comet ever recorded and the only known short-period comet visible to the naked eye, returning roughly every 76 years.

As Halley's Comet orbits the sun, it leaves behind a trail of dust particles. Each year, Earth passes through this debris twice. When these particles enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed, they burn up and create meteor showers. One of these encounters produces the Eta Aquariids in early May, while the other gives rise to the Orionids in October.

The Eta Aquariids are considered a medium-intensity meteor shower, known for their speed, bright streaks and long-lasting trails. The shower is active from late April to late May, lasting about a month, with peak activity around May 6 and a zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of around 50 meteors.

For better viewing, experts recommend choosing open areas with minimal obstructions and low light pollution. To reduce interference from moonlight, observers should position themselves where the moon is blocked from view. There is also no need to focus on the radiant point, as meteors can appear anywhere in the night sky; keeping a wide field of view will improve the experience.