Everything indicates that 2024 is a good year to appreciate the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, thanks to an outburst that will not be repeated for 20 years and the New Moon next Wednesday, May 8, which ensures darkness at night, so Take your forecasts and prepare for an unprecedented astronomical spectacle.
What are the Eta Aquarids?
The Eta Aquarids are a meteor shower, visible every year between April 19 and May 28. Likewise, they are fragments of Comet 1/P Halley, which orbits the Sun every 76 years.
Those in the tropics have a more favorable location to view its passage, as do those in the southern hemisphere. To a lesser extent, those located in the northern hemisphere will also be able to see the meteors.
When can the Eta Aquarids be seen best?
The Eta Aquarids are visible between April and May. “The typical maximum observing time would normally be from the night of May 4 to the morning of May 5. However, due to the outburst (of Aquarids), May 2-6 could provide excellent sky-watching opportunities”says NASA.
“At this time of year, Aquarius rises after midnight so The time to observe this rain is a few hours before dawn”, explained the US space agency. “The best time to see it is from 4 am to dawn”, he adds.
Why will an explosion only occur again in 20 years?
Bill Cooke, director of the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, explains that many of the shooting stars we see this year are actually caused by material from around Halley’s Comet. of 3,000 years. When the Earth hits that debris, we can see rays of light in the sky. When our planet moves through concentrated accumulations of material, we can experience a meteorite explosion. The next time the Eta Aquarids will explode will be in 20 years.
Furthermore, the Eta Aquarids do not always have the Moon in their favor. Sometimes, such as in 2022, they have had to compete with a full Moon that has illuminated the night sky, decreasing the visibility of meteors. “To top off this year’s event, the new Moon aligns with the peak nights, so there will be no light interference to obscure the faintest meteors.”notes NASA.
NASA tips for seeing the Eta Aquarids
To see the most meteors, NASA advises moving away from city lights and taking a few minutes until your eyes adjust to the darkness.
The best position is to lie down with your feet pointing more or less east and looking up, indicates the space agency.
A reclining garden chair will allow you to lie comfortably with your head tilted back for optimal vision.
Bring a blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm, but avoid dressing too warmly so you don’t fall asleep prematurely.
Unlike stargazing, to see a meteor shower you have to escape light pollution. Find a dark place with a clear view of the night sky.
It could be a rural area, a park with minimal lighting, or even your front yard (if it’s far enough from streetlights).
Meteor showers are like nature’s fireworks: sometimes you get a dazzling show, and other times patience is rewarded with fewer meteors.
The key is to relax and enjoy the night sky. Patience and clear skies are your allies in this cosmic treasure hunt.
Although meteor showers can be seen with the naked eye, bringing binoculars can enhance the experience by allowing you to observe fainter celestial bodies.
