The Eta Aquariid meteor shower returns this May, offering northern hemisphere observers a chance to witness one of the year's most prolific meteor displays. The shower runs from April 19th through May 28th, with peak activity occurring the evening of May 5th into the morning of May 6th.
Despite its abundance, the Eta Aquariids remain notoriously difficult for observers at higher northern latitudes to observe. The meteors appear to radiate from a point near the star Eta Aquarii, positioned low on the southern horizon for most northern observers. This geometry severely limits visibility compared to what southern hemisphere observers experience.
Clear skies are essential for catching these meteors. Observers should plan to watch during the pre-dawn hours when the radiant reaches its highest point above the horizon. The meteors originate from debris left behind by Halley's Comet during its orbit. The Eta Aquariids represent one of two annual meteor showers fed by Halley's debris stream. The other, the Orionids, occurs in October.