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May begins with the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, and experts are expecting a better show than in recent years, according to the American Meteor Society.
During the period when the meteor shower is expected to peak — in the early morning hours of Sunday and Monday, according to Earthly Heaven — the moon, in its new moon phase, will only be 6% illuminated. Experts suggest keeping an eye on the sky between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. local time.
The Eta Aquariid shower is often considered the best meteor shower of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, where skywatchers can see between 20 and 40 meteors per hour, or perhaps even more, according to EarthSky. In the Northern Hemisphere, observers can expect to see between 10 and 20 meteors in the pre-dawn hours, according to NASA.
The source of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is Halley’s Comet. Earth crosses the comet’s orbital path each spring between April and May, causing tiny grains of rock and dust shed by the comet to hit our planet’s atmosphere and create a dazzling display of meteors. It happens again in October, resulting in the Orionid meteor shower.
Halley’s Comet was last visible in Earth’s night sky in 1986, and will return in 2061 as it travels in a 76-year orbit around the Sun.
The meteors appear to come from the northeastern part of the constellation Aquarius, which contributes to the shower’s name.
The rate of meteors visible per hour this year “is expected to be increased by debris disturbed by Jupiter in a direction closer to Earth,” according to the American Meteor Society. “This last occurred in 2013 when rates increased significantly.”
Astronomers predicted higher rates of Eta Aquariids in 2023, but the full moon overshadowed the meteors and scientists were unable to verify whether the increase occurred. But without lunar interference on the horizon, the rate of visible meteors could double if the increase happens, according to the American Meteor Society.
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that isn’t filled with city lights that obstruct your view.
Find an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight up. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness — without looking at your phone — so meteors are easier to spot.
The American Meteor Society is inviting viewers to share your shower observationswhich will help astronomers determine whether there were more meteors than expected.
“The eta Aquariids will offer a good chance to see the strongest activity from this source until the 2040s,” according to a post shared by the American Meteor Society.
“We strongly encourage everyone with clear skies to observe during this time and share their observations. We wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing your results!”
Here are the remaining meteor showers predicted for 2024.
meteor showers
Delta Aquarídios do Sul: July 29th to 30th
Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
Perseids: August 11-12
Draconids: October 7th to 8th
Orionids: October 20th to 21st
Southern Taurids: November 4th to 5th
North Taurids: November 11th to 12th
Leonidas: November 17th to 18th
Geminids: December 13-14
Ursids: December 21st to 22nd
Full moons
Each month’s full moon is associated with a specific name, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. But full moons have a variety of names and meanings, according to different indigenous tribes.
May 23: Flowery moon
June 21: Strawberry Moon
July 21: Moon Buck
August 19: Sturgeon Moon
September 17: full moon
October 17: Hunter’s Moon
November 15: Beaver Moon
December 15: Cold Moon
Solar and lunar eclipses
An annular solar eclipse will occur in the sky on October 2 in parts of South America. This type of eclipse is similar to a total solar eclipse, except that the Moon is at the furthest point in its orbit from the Earth, so it cannot block completely the Sun. Instead, annular solar eclipses create a “ring of fire” in the sky as the sun’s fiery light envelops the moon’s shadow.
A partial lunar eclipse, when the Earth moves between the Sun and the full Moon without being perfectly aligned, will appear in Europe and much of Asia, Africa, North America and South America between September 17 and 18.
To check Time and date website to see when each of these eclipses will appear.
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