There’s nothing like sitting outside at night in the spring or in the summer and looking for shooting stars. From now until May 27th, you can see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower.
Peak
Although the peak was from May 5th to 6th, for a couple days after, there will be an elevated amount of meteors.
Origin of the Shower
The Eta Aquarids come about because Earth passes through Halley’s Comet’s dust trail. [1] Although Halley’s Comet is seen only every 76 years, Earth passes through it’s dust trail twice a year: one in spring and one in fall.
Best Time
The best time to see the shooting stars would be right before sunrise. The Southern Hemisphere will be able to see around sixty meteors per hour, but the Northern Hemisphere will still be able to see around a dozen meteors per hour. [2]
Tips
When planning on going outside to look for meteors, look at the weather to go on the best day. Allow around twenty minutes to adjust your eyes to the dark. If you need light for any reason, try to use a red light. Pick an open spot, like in a field, away from lights. [3]
