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Stargazers, this one’s for you. Next month, the sky above Sydney will come alive with an extremely bright meteor shower that goes by the name of Eta Aquariid. The annual meteor shower – which is formed from debris from Halley’s comet – will light up the sky above NSW in early May. At its absolute peak, you can expect to see up to 50 fast-moving meteors per hour! Here’s everything you need to know about catching the Eta Aquariids from NSW.
What is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower?
The Eta Aquariid shower is a fast-moving and notoriously unpredictable celestial show that occurs when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by the better-known Halley’s Comet. What makes the Eta Aquariid particularly spectacular is its speed, with the meteors travelling at around 50 kilometres per second.
Every year, the Eta Aquariids typically light up the skies between April 19 and May 28, with peak activity usually occurring in early to mid-May. This year, the Eta Aquarids will reach their peak in Australia from May 6 to 7.
How can I see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower from Sydney?
Stargazers in Sydney will have their best chance at seeing the Eta Aquariids when they peak on the night between Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7. In the past, they've been particularly active from 2am to 6am.
During these hours, look to the eastern skies and you should begin to see a sporadic smattering of meteors lighting up the sky. The keyword here is sporadic: meteor showers are notoriously hard to predict. You might find yourself staring at the sky for a long time before suddenly catching several sparkly spectacles in a row.
The best way to see the Eta Aquariids from Australia is to scan the northern horizon near the point of the Aquarius constellation where the meteors are set to emerge from (for help on this one, you might want to turn to a constellation map app).
How to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower in NSW?
Like the Lyrid meteor shower in April, you don’t need any fancy equipment or insider astronomical knowledge to see the Eta Aquariids. Of course, the number one thing we can hope for is clear skies, and we’d also suggest finding a place far away from artificial city lights. Remember to give your eyes enough time (around 30 minutes) to adjust to the darkness. Yes, that means no peeping at your phones.
When is the next Eta Aquariids meteor shower?
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower happens in autumn each year, peaking from mid-April to early May.
You’re going to want to set those alarms, rug up and head outside. It's not every night that you get to bear witness to a 2000-year-old celestial show.
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