Natural phenomena tend to bring beauty to the world and watching “star showers” can be a fantastic experience. During these days, or rather these nights, they can be seen with great intensity.
The phenomenon is happening due to the passage of the so-called Eta Aquarids that derive from the wreckage of Halley’s comet and can be seen until the 28th of May, with the peak happening at dawn on the 6th of May.
Meteor shower in May nights
April has already been marked by a meteor shower from the Lyrids, but if you didn't notice them, the nights of May will also be painted by "star showers". From last night until the 28th of May, the skies of Earth will be scratched by the passage of the Eta Aquarids.
According to American Meteor Society forecaststhe nights of the 4th, 5th and 6th of May are the ones when the phenomenon will have its peak, mainly in the early hours of the 6th of May.
10 de maio de 2019 - Astronomy Picture of the Day (NASA)
Legenda: Halley Dust and Milky Way
-
The Eta Aquarids are named after the constellation Aquarius and derive from the wreckage of the Halley comet. This is a well-known comet that, according to NASA, is visible from Earth every 76 years. From Portugal, the last time it will have been seen was in 1986 and this will only happen again, according to predictions in 2061.
NASA mentions that Eta Aquarids are seen with greater incidence in the southern hemisphere, but they can also be observed in the northern hemisphere, although they appear closer to the horizon, as "earthgrazers", as indicated.
-
