Heads up, sky lovers! This week, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is lighting up the night. But if you want to catch a glimpse, you’ll need to get up early and watch the skies.
Peak viewing times are from Tuesday to Wednesday, especially just before dawn on Wednesday, as noted by the American Meteor Society.
“The best chance to see these meteors is just before dawn,” says Robert Lunsford from the American Meteor Society. Because they originate from the constellation Aquarius, you’ll see them most clearly after about 3 a.m.
The Eta Aquariids are generally the top meteor shower for the Southern Hemisphere, where viewers can see about 40 meteors per hour. In contrast, the Northern Hemisphere will only see around 20 during optimal conditions.
However, this year the viewing might be tricky. A bright waning gibbous moon can cut visibility significantly. Instead of dozens, you might spot fewer than 10 meteors an hour, according to EarthSky.
Even in perfect dark skies, recent years have seen the Eta Aquariids underperform. Lunsford mentions that last year, they barely produced five meteors per hour.
What makes these meteors special is their speed. They race through our atmosphere at about 40 miles per second, sometimes leaving behind glowing trails, as noted by NASA. With the bright moon this time, Lunsford believes we could be lucky to see just a couple per hour.
For the best viewing experience, find a spot away from city lights. Lay back and let your eyes adjust for about 45 minutes. The longer you watch, the more likely you’ll spot a few meteors.
The meteors appear to come from a point in Aquarius. This radiant is near the star Eta Aquarii, which is how the shower got its name. Though you don’t need to know exactly where to look, higher positions of Aquarius in the sky could mean more meteors visible. Typically, it’s easier to spot them in the Southern Hemisphere, where nighttime is longer this time of year.
These meteors originate from Halley’s Comet, which was discovered way back in 1705. Earth crosses its path twice a year, resulting in both the Eta Aquariids in May and the Orionids in October. The last sighting of the comet was in 1986, and if you’re looking to see it again, mark 2061 on your calendar, as noted by NASA.
Aside from the Eta Aquariids, there are several other meteor showers to keep an eye on in 2026. Here’s a quick look:
- Southern Delta Aquariids: July 30-31
- Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
- Perseids: August 12-13
- Orionids: October 21-22
- Southern Taurids: November 4-5
- Northern Taurids: November 11-12
- Leonids: November 16-17
- Geminids: December 13-14
- Ursids: December 21-22
While the Eta Aquariids may not deliver a dazzling show this year, their swift nature makes them a noteworthy event for anyone curious about astronomy.
