Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower Peaks Thursday

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents looking for free entertainment need only look to the skies over the next few nights.

According to NASA, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower is set to peak Thursday, May 5. The meteor shower originates from Halley’s Comet and is expected to put on quite a show over the next few days.

“This year the Eta Aquarids will peak during daylight hours of 5 May across the United States,” NASA wrote in its website. “Slightly higher rates are likely overnight May 4-5 than on May 5-6 but the shower’s broad peak means that both nights will have meteors.”

The shower technically has an active range this year that began April 19 and is expected to end May 28. The May 5 peak should deliver a meteor count of about 10 to 20 an hour, NASA says.

The Eta Aquarids are famed for their speed. These meteors are known to travel at roughly 148,000 mph, NASA noted, adding that they can leave “glowing ‘trains’ which last for several seconds to minutes.”

The shower is visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres most especially in the pre-dawn hours, NASA notes. The Southern Hemisphere will enjoy the best viewing, but for those in the Northern Hemisphere, including Tampa Bay, an hourly rate of about 10 meteors should still be visible.

NASA says the constellation Aquarius, which is “home to the radiant of the Eta Aquarids” happens to be higher up in the sky in the Southern Hemisphere. Northern Hemisphere viewers, however, do get the thrill of seeing the meteors as “earthgrazers,” which are meteors that look like they are skimming the surface of the earth at the horizon, NASA said.

For best viewing, NASA recommends finding a dark area away from city and street lights. Viewers should look to the east to spot the meteors as they skim past.

“Be patient,” NASA advises. “The show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”

The weather in the Tampa Bay area should be most cooperative for Thursday and Friday viewing. Forecasters at the National Weather Service anticipate Wednesday’s storms to move out in the overnight hours with mostly clear conditions heading into the early morning time Thursday. Clear conditions are expected overnight Friday.

Photo of an Eta Aquarid meteor courtesy of NASA