Join a Royal Observatory astronomer online to learn everything you need to know about the Eta Aquariids. We’ll explain the origin of meteor showers, the best time to view them, and what else is out there in our Solar System.
When is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
This meteor shower is active between 19 April and 20 May this year, with the peak happening on the night of 5 May.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor occurs when a tiny piece of an asteroid or comet passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, moving at such incredible speeds that it heats up and glows, creating a streak of light.
A meteor shower occurs when the Earth encounters a large cloud of these particles whilst travelling around the Sun. These clouds of debris usually have different comets as their origins - for example, the Eta Aquariid shower is associated with the famous Halley's Comet.
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Image Credit: Snowy Range, Perseids Meteor Shower © David Kingham