This weekend, celestial enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, remnants of the famous Halley’s comet, reaches its peak. With just a waning crescent moon gracing the sky, the shower promises a dazzling spectacle.
The Eta Aquarids, an annual event occurring in early May, are set to dazzle observers with an anticipated 10 to 30 meteors visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere during the peak activity early Sunday. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, the viewing experience is expected to be even more spectacular. The shower will continue to grace the skies until May 27, offering ample opportunities for observation.
But what exactly are meteor showers? These captivating displays result from the debris left behind by comets, with the Eta Aquarids tracing their origins back to Halley’s comet. As these rocky remnants hurtle through Earth’s atmosphere, friction with the air heats them up, causing them to glow and leave behind a fiery trail—the hallmark of a shooting star.
For those eager to witness this celestial ballet, here are some tips on how to maximize your viewing experience. Meteor showers are typically most visible between midnight and the predawn hours, with optimal viewing conditions found away from the glare of city lights. Cloudless nights enhance visibility, with the waning moon’s minimal illumination facilitating clear viewing in both hemispheres, according to the American Meteor Society.
As stargazers anticipate the Eta Aquarids, they can also mark their calendars for future celestial events. The Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower, set to peak in late July, is the next major meteorological event on the horizon.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the η-Aquariid meteor shower will grace the skies from April 19 to May 28, with its peak activity expected on May 5. Projecting approximately 40 meteors per hour, the shower will be visible once its radiant point, the constellation Aquarius, emerges above the eastern horizon around 01:33 a.m. each night, remaining active until around 05:06 a.m. the following day. While the radiant point reaches its zenith around 08:00 a.m., the best viewing experience is anticipated shortly before dawn. Despite the presence of the Waning Crescent Moon, minimal interference is expected for meteor-watchers throughout the night.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
