Eta Aquarids: Another Gift from Halley’s Comet

The Eta Aquarids peak in early May each year, offering a spring meteor display.
Like the Orionids, they come from debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.
The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, near the star Eta Aquarii.
They are best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, but visible in the north too.
At peak, the shower produces 20–50 meteors per hour, sometimes more in the south.
Eta Aquarid meteors are extremely fast, entering the atmosphere at 42 miles per second.
Their glowing trails can persist for several seconds, adding to the spectacle.
The shower has been observed for centuries, tied to Halley’s orbit since ancient times.
The broad activity period lasts from mid-April to late May, with the peak around May 5–6.
Watching the Eta Aquarids means seeing Halley’s Comet in action—even when the comet is far away.