Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Peak (Eta Aquarids)

(Photo by Rocky Raybell)

The Eta Aquarids are a meteor shower associated with Halley’s Comet.

The shower is visible from about April 21 to about May 20 each year with peak activity on or around May 6. Unlike most major annual meteor showers, there is no sharp peak for this shower, but rather a plateau of good rates that last approximately one week centered on May 7. The meteors we currently see as members of the Eta Aquariid shower separated from Halley’s Comet hundreds of years ago. The current orbit of Halley’s Comet does not pass close enough to the Earth to be a source of meteoric activity.

Meteor shower peak activity: May 5-6