Eta-Aquariids meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of May 6
15:02, 5 May
Open-sources photo
Bright and fast “shooting stars” will be visible in the sky in clear weather. The Eta Aquariid meteor shower (May Aquariids) will reach the peak of activity on the night of May 6. Fast and bright meteors-flashes will be visible in the sky, if the weather is clear. For the best viewing experience, it is recommended to observe them away from city lights, TASS informed in the Moscow Planetarium's press service.
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"The May Aquariids meteors are fast and bright, leaving long trails similar to those of the October Orionids. <...> Observe meteors best in the pre-dawn hours (from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM Moscow time) away from city lights," specified in the planetarium, noting that, as a rule, these flashes are white in color.
Astronomers pointed out the relatively high speed of the meteors – almost 67 km/s. At mid-latitudes, the area in the sky where the flashes appear (the radiant) will be visible low above the southeastern horizon a few hours before dawn.
The stream's source is the dust trail left by Halley's Comet. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, the Earth passes through it. Dust particles burning up in the planet's atmosphere create bright flashes in the sky.
The stream from the constellation Aquarius is active from April 19 to May 28. The peak of activity occurs in early May. An increased number of ‘shooting stars’ can sometimes be seen a few days before and after the night of the peak.
