In the early morning of May 5, 6, and 7 this year, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will once again become visible. Occurring annually between April 21 and May 20, the natural phenomenon is identified with Halley's comet, an ancient celestial body. Although the Eta Aquariids does not bring the same sparkle as other meteor showers, it still remains a remarkable occurrence. Stargazers keep watch over the skies during its peak hours for a chance to photograph it.
According to Red Orbit, the showers are best sighted at pre-dawn hours in the Northern and Southern hemisphere. But the view is considerably better in the southeast, near the constellation of Aquarius. St. George News notes that the shower can be able to produce up to 30 meteors per hour, which always thrills enthusiasts.
To be able to catch this meteor shower best, it is recommended that stargazers must find a good location that is free of artificial lights. A clearing, a hill or mountain top, or a dark outdoor location will bring out the beauty of Eta Aquariids. Stargazers usually set up sleeping bags or blankets on the ground, and lie down on their backs facing the sky as they wait for the meteors to come.
Since there are no special devices to be used when watching a meteor shower, patience is required when keeping watch over this. When it does appear, fix your gaze onto the sky for at least 30 minutes to one hour as they usually come in spurts, according to Earth Sky. Besides, your eyes will need time to adjust in the darkness.
The Eta Aquarids is speedy, travelling for 148,000 mph (66 km/s) in the atmosphere. Hence, the meteors leave "trains" in the sky. These trains are described by NASA as incandescent debris fragments. During these times, there are other meteor showers that skim the sky as well, but they are considerably weaker than Eta Aquariids, according to the Red Orbit report. For stargazers to be sure that they are viewing the right meteor shower, they will only have to look up to Aquarius as the guide. Check if its tracks trace back to this constellation.
Discovered in April 1870 by Lieutenant-Colonel G. L. Tupman, the Eta Aquariids was first spotted in the Mediterranean Sea. Tupman confirmed his discovery when he spotted the showers again in April 1871. Following this, the Italian Meteoric Association also plotted the showers upong learning of Tupman's discovery.
