Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower in 2018

Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower in 2018

Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower is active between April 19 and May 28^th every year and but will peak this year between Sat, May 5–Sun, May 6. This will be the best time to see the shower, which will be visible from most of the world, just before dawn. The point in the sky where Eta Aquarids meteors emerge from will be towards the constellation Aquarius and it is named for the brightest star in the constellation, Eta Aquarii.

The Eta Aquarids is created by debris from Comet Halley, the Earth will pass through Halley’s path around the Sun a second time October 20^th for the Orionid meteor shower. Halley’s Comet takes around 76 years to make a complete revolution around the Sun. The next time it will be visible from Earth is in 2061.

Aquariids meteor shower for Orange County  (Night between May 5 and May 6)
Time	Azimuth/Direction	Altitude
Tue 3:00 am	97°	5.8°
Tue 4:00 am	106°	18.0°
Tue 5:00 am	116°	29.7°

Direction to see the Aquariids in the sky:

• Azimuth is the direction, based on true north; a compass might show a slightly different value.
• Altitude is height in degrees over horizon.

Note that this year the peak times to view the Aquariids fall when the moon phase is 74% – 65% illuminated

How to Watch Meteor Showers

• Check the weather: Meteors, or shooting stars, are easy to spot; all you need is clear skies and a pair of eyes.
• Get out of town: Find a place as far away as possible from artificial lights.
• Prepare to wait: Bring something to sit or lie down on. Stargazing is a waiting game, so get comfortable.