What To See In The May Night Sky

Every year the earth crosses the orbital path of Halley’s Comet.  As our planet passes thru the debris left behind by the comet some of the detritus burns-up as it reenters the earth's atmosphere with a resulting meteor shower.  Shooting stars! 

 

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower for 2024 is active between April 15 and May 27 and peaks on the evening of May 4-5. The is close to the timing of a new moon so unlike the full moon last year there will less interference of moonlight for meteor hunters.  

in case you are traveling the best viewing is in the Southern Hemisphere where it is one of the most prolific showers of the year.  Nevertheless, they can be observed north of the equator with 10 to 30 meteors per hour at peak.  There will be viewing opportunities beginning in the predawn hours starting May 1, 2 and 3. 

Get yourself comfortable in a lawn chair and allow your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.   

Look to the southeast and the constellation Aquarius – although a shooting star can occur just about anywhere.

In our mid-northern latitudes you can expect to see ten or more meteors per hour.  The late evening hours are the best time to observe earthgrazers – more meteors that make the long streaks across night sky.  

Fingers-crossed for dark skies and clear viewing conditions.