Pack the picnic blanket, hot cocoa and a pair of binoculars. Early in the mornings from Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6, Australian skies will come alive with an extremely bright meteor shower that goes by the name of Eta Aquariid. The annual meteor shower is predicted to be the best in the 21st century, so it's well worth waking up early (and cancelling any of those early Monday morning meetings).
What is the Eta Aquarrid 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 66 kilometres per hour.
This year, scientists predict that the meteors should be unusually active – with their high speed also making them appear brighter to the naked eye. Plus, this year’s show is set to be especially impressive based on its timing, which will coincide with a new moon on May 7. On this night, the skies will be particularly dark, making it easier to catch sight of the shooting stars.
How can I see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower in Australia?
Stargazers in Australia will have their best chance at seeing the Eta Aquarrids before dawn on Saturday, May 4, Sunday, May 5 and Monday, May 6. You’ll need to wait until the radiant rises – so the body of Earth moves out of the way – with peak times including:
- Brisbane – 1.20am AEST
- Sydney/Canberra – 1.30am AEST
- Hobart – 1.40am AEST
- Melbourne – 1.50am AEST
- Perth – 1.45am AWST
- Adelaide – 1.45am ACST
- Darwin – 2.20am ACST
During this time, look to the eastern skies and you should begin to see a sporadic smattering of asteroids lighting up the sky. The key word 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 them 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.
When will the Eta Aquariids meteor shower peak in Australia?
The meteor shower is set to peak in the few hours before dawn on Monday, May 6 – when between 20 and 30 meteors are expected to shoot through the sky each hour.
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 2,000-year-old celestial show – and if you were to choose a year this century to get out there, this is the one.
How to best see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower in Australia?
Like the Lyrid meteor shower in April, you don’t need any fancy equipment or insider astronomical knowledge to see it. 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 Aquariids meteor shower happens in autumn each year, peaking from mid-April to early May.
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