The Eta Aquarids

The Eta Aquarids

The Eta Aquarids are one of two annual showers caused by Halley’s Comet. (The other one is the Orionids, in October.) They are named after their apparent “radiant” point in the constellation Aquarius, near one of its brightest stars, Eta Aquarii.

The shower is active throughout April and November. When it peaks, according to NASA, observers can expect about 30-60 meteors per hour. Generally the peak is spread out over about a week centered on May 7, according to the American Meteor Society. Check our Eta Aquarids Guide for specifics of how to view this year’s shower.

Eta Aquarids are best visible in the hours before dawn and, due to the southern area of the sky in which the radiant appears, are more readily visible from the tropical and southern hemisphere regions.