Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks this weekend: What to know

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Meteors are remnants of Halley's comet

HGRH4K An Eta Aquarid meteor exploding over pine trees on the Coconino Rim along the Arizona Trail. Kaibab National Forest, Arizona (Mike Cavaroc / Alamy Stock Photo, Credit: Mike Cavaroc / Alamy Stock Photo)

The best time to see the the eta Aquarid meteor shower is this weekend.

The eta Aquarid meteor shower is one of two annual meteor showers that are remnants of Halley's comet. The eta Aquarid meteors are seen every year in May and the Orionid meteors are seen in October.

This is because Earth crosses through Comet Halley's orbit twice every year. The meteors are along Halley's path and burn up when they strike Earth's atmosphere.

---> Did you catch a video of a meteor? Share it with us here.

This year's peak activity is expected to happen early Sunday, May 5, with 10 to 30 meteors visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. The meteor shower lasts through May 27.

NASA said viewing should be "excellent" between May 2 through May 6. The best time to view the meteors is from 4 a.m. to dawn.

Because the peak event is close to a new moon, it should make for good viewing.

The best way to see the most meteors is to go to a safe, dark place away from bright lights and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dark.

NASA recommends laying down with your feet pointed toward the east and looking straight up.

---> More: The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, debris of Halley's comet, peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it

About the Author

Kayla Clarke

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

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