Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, peaking annually from April 19 to May 28, is known for producing up to 60 meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere and about 30 per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. Originating from comet Halley, these meteors radiate from the constellation Aquarius but are visible across the sky.

This year, a nearly new moon creates ideal dark conditions for viewing. While the peak is around the night of May 6 and the morning of May 7, the shower’s broad peak means visible meteors a few days before and after. The Southern Hemisphere typically enjoys the best views, with up to 60 meteors per hour, while in the southern U.S., 10 to 20 meteors per hour are expected. However, numbers decrease further north.

The best viewing time is in the hour or two before dawn across all global locations, as the radiant appears over the eastern horizon around 4 a.m. local time.