The Eta Aquariids, slated to be one of the best meteor showers during 2024, have begun. The Eta Aquariid meteor shower runs from April 15 through May 27, peaking on the night of May 4-5. The absolute maximum number of “shooting stars” per hour is 50, according to the American Meteor Society, though 10-30 per hour is what to expect a few days on either side of the peak night.
Eta Aquariids In 2024
Caused by dust and debris left in the solar system by the world’s most famous comet, 1P Halley, the Eta Aquariids are one of just three meteor showers in 2024 that will peak while there’s a minimum of moonlight in the night sky, making them harder to see. So it’s worth trying to be somewhere dark for the peak night of the Eta Aquariids this year.
Wherever you watch from, get outside around midnight when the apparent source constellation Aquarius is highest in the sky. Since it’s even higher in the southern hemisphere, those south of the equator tend to see more “shooting stars” during the Eta Aquariids.
The Moon And The Eta Aquariids
Everyone is getting excited about this year’s Eta Aquariid meteor shower because the peak night occurs when the moon is down. The Eta Aquariids will take place just a few nights before the new moon. On the peak night our satellite will be a mere 14%-lit crescent moon as it rises a couple hours before sunrise, so much won’t interrupt observing. Last year the Eta Aquariids peak was ruined by a full moon.
Photographing The Eta Aquariids
Put a camera in your backyard and take a series of 30-second photos and you might be able to capture a bright shooting star or two. Use a wide-angle lens on a DSLR or mirrorless camera on a tripod, and adjust the camera settings to get a good picture of the night sky. Once you have the settings right, put your camera on continuous mode and capture as many photos as you can. The scan through them later to see if you caught a “shooting star” or two.
Best Ways To See The Eta Aquariids
You don’t need any special equipment to see “shooting stars.” If you can, go to a place with less light, such as a rural area without any street lights or an International Dark Sky Park. Make sure you choose a night with no clouds to get a clear view of the sky and bring a lawn chair or a blanket to make yourself comfortable. It’s essential to get your eyes adjusted to the darkness, which can take about 30 minutes to an hour (try not to use your phone during this time because the light will cancel-out your night vision).
Meteors—also called “shooting stars”—are small pieces of rock or dust that burn up as they strike Earth’s atmosphere. Meteor showers are caused by the Earth passing through the dust-strewn orbit of a comet or asteroid.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
