Methods to watch the Eta Aquariid meteor bathe this weekend

Meteors can be streaking throughout the sky this weekend as Earth passes by the particles of Halley’s Comet.

The annual Eta Aquariid meteor bathe peaks on Sunday night time into Monday morning however needs to be seen, weather-permitting, all weekend.

Where to observe the present

You ought to see the meteors low within the sky should you look to the east earlier than daybreak. They are extra simply seen within the southern hemisphere however you possibly can nonetheless spot them within the UK.

Of course, your stargazing could rely upon the climate. This weekend, it is extremely unsettled.

The Met Office says its “computer models are disagreeing” about the place will see the worst climate across the UK.

Their cloud cowl map at present suggests southern England could have the clearest night time on Saturday, nevertheless, and most of Wales could have one of the best probability on Sunday.

If you notice clear skies, head out earlier than daybreak and settle in.

“Hunting for meteors, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game,” says the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s web site.

“It’s best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while.”

You’ll want to permit your eyes to regulate to the darkish, so attempt to get away from sources of sunshine air pollution, like avenue lights or homes.

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What is the Eta Aquariid meteor bathe?

Named after Eta Aquarii, the star it seems to radiate from, the meteor bathe comes round yearly.

Unlike most huge annual meteor showers, there is no such thing as a sharp peak. Instead, they’re greatest noticed throughout various days round this time in May.

The meteors are the particles from Halley’s Comet.

This is especially well-known as a result of when observing it, astronomers realised for the primary time comets might go by the photo voltaic system a number of occasions.

When historians dug into it, they realised Halley’s Comet had been noticed by people for 1000’s of years. It even options within the Bayeux Tapestry, which chronicles the Battle of Hastings in 1066, in response to NASA.

Meteors seem in our skies when particles in area enters our environment. Their velocity means they warmth up and start to glow, leaving a path that we will see once we stargaze.