The night of Tuesday, May 5 marks the peak of the Eta Aquarids, but Michigan skygazers beware: Clouds and rain could block your chance to glimpse the shooting stars.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks overnight May 5-6, with up to 50 meteors per hour expected during the peak, per the American Meteor Society and NASA. However, in Michigan, clear skies for visibility will be limited to parts of the Upper Peninsula, according to National Weather Service forecasts on Monday, May 4.
The Eta Aquarids debris comes from comet 1P/Halley, named for English astronomer Edmond Halley, who discovered it in 1705, NASA said.
Here’s what to know about the Eta Aquarid meteor shower.
When will the Eta Aquarids peak?
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will peak overnight May 5-6, according to the American Meteor Society. The Eta Aquarids, appearing from the area of the constellation Aquarius in the night sky, are active from April 19 until May 28.
How many meteors will be visible?
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower can bring fast meteors, with up to 50 per hour during the peak, but typically brings 10 meteors per hour, per NASA.
Will the weather be clear enough to see the Eta Aquarids?
Best viewing chances Tuesday night, May 5, will be in the Upper Peninsula, with much of northern Michigan southward forecasted for cloudy skies and chances of rain overnight May 5-6, local National Weather Service offices predict.
The Sault Ste. Marie, Munising and Marquette areas are set for clear skies, while Escanaba, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Ironwood and St. Ignace could see partly cloudy skies.
Where’s the best place to see the Eta Aquarids?
Look for a clear, open area to view the Eta Aquarids meteor shower in Michigan’s night sky. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.
What causes the Eta Aquarid meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by comets and broken asteroid bits as they orbit the sun, NASA says. The debris collides with Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.
The Eta Aquarids debris comes from comet 1P/Halley, named for English astronomer Edmond Halley, who discovered it in 1705, NASA said. The comet is expected to next enter the inner solar system in 2061, as it takes 76 years to orbit the sun.
How can you get the best view of the Eta Aquarids?
Here are some general viewing tips from NASA:
It should take less than 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt so that you can see streaking meteors. But be patient, NASA warns: the show will last until dawn.
Meteor, meteorites, meteoroids — which is it?
Those are words that sound similar, but there are important differences:
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eta Aquarids meteor shower to peak Tuesday. Here’s how to see it in Michigan.
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
