The Eta Aquarids, one of the most awaited meteor showers of the year, reached its peak yesterday morning. The phenomenon lit up skies around the world, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, with hundreds of “shooting stars”.
What makes this rain special is its composition. The luminous phenomena are generated by pieces of the tail of the famous Halley comet — which last visited us 35 years ago, in 1986, and will only return in 2061 —, which enter our atmosphere.
Beautiful records were made around the world, including from Brazil. Check out some of them below:
Eta Aquarids: check out photos of the meteor shower from Halley’s comet
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Halley’s Comet meteor shower recorded in Queensland, Australia
Jalyn Photographics – –
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Comet Halley meteor shower recorded in Quebec/Canada
Anthony Lemay – –
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Meteors crossing the sky over Tarragona, Spain
Prades Mountains Astronomical Park – –
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Record of the meteor shower in Atacama, Chile
Petr Hora?lek – –
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The phenomenon was also recorded in the sky of Arizona, United States
Charles Byrne – –
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In Brazil, the meteor shower also resulted in beautiful images. The photo shows the sky of Taquara, Rio Grande do Sul
Heller-Jung Space Observatory – –
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One more record in Taquara, Rio Grande do Sul
Heller-Jung Space Observatory – –
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Monte Castelo, in Santa Catarina, also witnessed the meteor shower
Jocimar Justino – –
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Monte Castelo, in Santa Catarina, also witnessed the meteor shower
Jocimar Justino – – —
There’s still time to watch in the next few days
The good news is that the meteor shower will continue to be active for the next few days. You don’t need telescopes or other special equipment to observe it. Just look at the cloudless sky.
Check out the following tips to increase the chances of you enjoying the phenomenon:
- Look for a place with low light, such as a porch or backyard. The less light pollution, the more chances to observe more meteors.
- Be comfortable. Sit in a chair (preferably a reclining or beach chair), protect yourself from the cold and avoid using the cell (so you don’t get distracted or have your vision dazzled by the brightness of the screen).
- Be patient. Our eyes take about 20 minutes to get used to the low light and to differentiate the brightness of different celestial bodies (stars, planets, meteors).
- Look to the east (where the sun rises) from 2 am, when the constellation of Aquarius will be rising. It will be below the planet Saturn. One software observation of the skies (such as StellariumStar WalkStar ChartSky Safari ou SkyView) can help you find the constellation.
- This is the radiant of the Eta Aquarids (hence the name); that is, meteors will appear to converge in the constellation. But don’t fix your eyes on it, they can appear from anywhere around.
- Watch carefully and wait for the meteors. The best time for observation is from 4 am, when the radiant is highest in the sky. Meteors can be seen until dawn.
- Make a wish for every “shooting star” you see, as tradition dictates.
Eta Aquarids remains active until the end of the month, with fewer and fewer meteors. Until today (7) it will still be very intense.
With a camera in long exposure mode, it is possible to make beautiful images of meteor trails, such as registered in Santa Catarina over the past week.
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