meteor shower lights up the sky

This is an event that experienced astronomers did not miss. Every spring, in early May, the Eta Aquarids shooting star shower occurs. This weekend it was possible to see almost ten per hour from the northern hemisphere and about thirty per hour from the southern hemisphere. This was due to the location of the radiant observation at different latitudes. This did not stop many Internet users and photographers from sharing their observations. The result is stunning sky shots.

This meteor shower is thanks to Comet 1P/Halley. As comets orbit the Sun, they leave behind a trail of dust. Every year the Earth passes through this debris, allowing these fragments to collide with our atmosphere. 1P/Halley in particular left a lot of particles on our route. So these small pieces of cometary debris collide with molecules in the atmosphere, and this extremely strong impact produces light. Each piece of debris then turns into a “shooting star.”

How to see them?

The Eta Aquarids are expected to continue until May 28, although the evening of May 4, this Saturday, was the best time to see them. So, to try to see the meteor, aim for the constellation Aquarius. “Lie on your back with your feet facing east and look up to admire as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adjust and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient: the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to see it, advises NASA.