20 hours Ago By Jamie Carter, Senior Contributor
A rare Green Fireball meteor from the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower around 5 a.m. in Babcock Wildlife .
.. More Management Area near Punta Gorda, Florida Are you ready to see shooting stars? Early May sees the peak of the Eta Aquariids, with the early hours of Tuesday, May 6, the time to be outside looking up — if skies are clear.
Caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, this fast-moving shower favors pre-dawn observers, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, where up to 60 meteors per hour may be seen. North of the equator, it's more like 30 meteors per hour. Here’s how and when to catch the Eta Aquariid meteor shower at its best in 2025.
Active from April 19 through May 28 this year, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower has a relatively sharp peak, which is expected during the early hours of Monday night into Tuesday morning, May 5-6. That peak night is when activity surges, offering the best chance to see meteors in higher numbers, though the number seen will build in the weeks before and fade in the weeks after the peak. The Eta Aquariids are produced by dust and debris — from small particles to larger bits of rock — left behind by Halley’s Comet during its past orbits around the sun.
As Earth crosses this debris field each May, these tiny comet fragments strike its atmosphere at high speeds — roughly 148,000 mph (238,000 kmph) in the case of the Eta Aquariids — creating brief streaks in the night sky. Halley’s Comet is also to blame for October’s annual Orionid meteor shower, making it the source of two annual showers, despite not having visited the inner solar system since 1986 and not due back until 2061. In 2025, a 64%-lit waxing gibbous moon will be up all evening, meaning moonlight may interfere with meteors.
However, it’s kind to the committed, sinking in the west about 3:00 a.m. local time — about the same time as the rates of Eta Aquariids should be at their maximum.
It’s, therefore, a good idea to set your alarm clock for 3:00 a.m. and plan on observing until dawn around 5:00 a.
m. Shooting stars can appear anywhere in the night sky. The meteors will appear to radiate from the near the star Eta Aquarii in the constellation Aquarius, which rises in the southeastern sky before dawn.
Since Aquarius will climb higher into the Southern Hemisphere night sky, that’s where the most meteors will likely be seen. It’s wise to give yourself an unobstructed view of a clear, dark sky, looking about 40 degrees away from the southeast (so, east of south), where the brightest meteors can often be seen. Stay away from artificial light.
At the very least, keep it out of your direct vision. Dress warmly and sit or lie down Be patient and allow your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. Preserve night vision by avoiding smartphones and bright lights.
After the Eta Aquariids are over, the Southern Delta Aquariids begin in July, eventually overlapping with August’s Perseids, one of the year’s most popular meteor showers — though this year, the peak night for that display will be marred by strong moonlight. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes..
