WASHINGTON (AP) — The Eta Aquarid meteor bathe, remnants of Halley’s comet, peaks this weekend. And with only a waning crescent moon within the sky, it ought to be seen.
The Eta Aquarids happen yearly in early Might. This yr’s peak exercise occurs early Sunday with an anticipated 10 to 30 meteors seen per hour within the Northern Hemisphere. Viewing ought to be even higher within the Southern Hemisphere. The bathe lasts by means of Might 27.
Right here’s what to know concerning the Eta Aquarids and different meteor showers.
What’s a meteor bathe?
A number of meteor showers happen yearly and also you don’t want particular tools to see them.
Most meteor showers originate from the particles of comets. The supply of the Eta Aquarids is Halley’s comet.
When rocks from area enter Earth’s environment, the resistance from the air makes them extremely popular. This causes the air to glow round them and briefly leaves a fiery tail behind them — the tip of a “capturing star.”
The glowing pockets of air round fast-moving area rocks, starting from the scale of a mud particle to a boulder, could also be seen within the evening sky.
The way to view a meteor bathe
Meteor showers are often most seen between midnight and predawn hours.
It’s simpler to see capturing stars below darkish skies, away from metropolis lights. Meteor showers additionally seem brightest on cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest.
The Southern Hemisphere can have the very best view of Eta Aquarids, however a waning moon simply 14% full will permit for clear viewing in each hemispheres, in response to the American Meteor Society.
When is the following meteor bathe?
The meteor society retains an up to date record of upcoming giant meteor showers, together with the height viewing days and moonlight circumstances.
The following large one is the Southern Delta Aquarid meteor bathe, which peaks in late July.
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The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives assist from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Instructional Media Group. The AP is solely answerable for all content material.
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