The May Eta Aquariids

Each May, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower puts on a show in the early morning sky. These meteors get their name because they appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, near the star Eta Aquarii. The Eta Aquariids are known for their fast, bright meteors and are especially exciting because they are connected to one of the most famous comets in history—Halley’s Comet. Observations of this shower go back hundreds of years, and it continues to impress skywatchers today.

What is a Meteor Shower?

When you see a shooting star, you’re witnessing a tiny bit of space dust burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. These pieces often come from the tails of comets or from asteroid fragments. As Earth moves along its orbit, it sometimes passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet. When that happens, we see more shooting stars than usual—a meteor shower! The meteors appear to come from one part of the sky, called the radiant, which is why this shower is named after a star in Aquarius.

Meteor showers last for several days, and the number of meteors changes from night to night. The best night to watch is the peak, when Earth moves through the densest part of the debris. During the Eta Aquariids, you might see 20 to 40 meteors per hour under dark skies. These meteors travel very fast, often leaving glowing trails that can last a few seconds.

Halley’s Comet

The parent of the Eta Aquariids is the famous Halley’s Comet. This comet was first recorded by astronomers in 240 BCE and returns to the inner solar system about every 76 years. As it travels, it leaves a trail of tiny particles behind. Every year in May, Earth crosses this trail, giving us the Eta Aquariid meteor shower. Interestingly, Halley’s Comet also causes another meteor shower—the Orionids—in October.

The 2025 Eta Aquariids

In 2025, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower will be active from April 19 to May 28, with the peak expected in the early morning of May 5. The radiant point will rise in the east just before dawn, so the best time to look is between 3:00 a.m. and sunrise. Find a spot away from bright lights and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. This year, the moon will be a thin crescent and won’t brighten the sky much, so conditions should be great for viewing.

To see longer, more dramatic meteors, try looking away from the radiant. If you stare directly at it, the meteors will look shorter because of a visual effect called foreshortening.

Keep Looking Up!

The Eta Aquariids are a special treat for early risers. Watching a piece of Halley’s Comet burn up in the sky is a thrilling experience that connects us to the past and reminds us of the wonders above. So grab a blanket, set your alarm, and enjoy the show. Happy stargazing!