At the beginning of the month of May, the sky will be illuminated by a new meteor shower. This is one of the most notable events of spring: the Eta Aquarids, also known as the Tears of Halley’s Comet.
They are fragments released from the iconic comet that cross the skies around the world during the fifth month of each year. On this occasion, it is expected to see up to 85 of these bright objects flying through space. The celestial spectacle can be seen on the night of Sunday the 5th at 9:00 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time).
Every year, this meteor shower is visible from April 19 to May 28. Its observation is especially favorable in the southern hemisphere and in regions close to the tropics, such as the Canary Islands. However, it can also be seen from the northern hemisphere.
The Eta Aquarids, like October’s Orionids, are linked to Halley’s Comet, which orbits the Sun every 76 years. During its journey, Halley releases metallic particles that disintegrate upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere, generating visible shooting stars.
Experts predict that Halley’s Comet will not return to Earth until 2061. However, the Eta Aquarids, associated with this comet, will continue to be visible from the depths of the Solar System.
According to the National Astronomical Observatory (OAN), the meteor shower is expected to have an activity rate of between 40 and 85 meteors per hour, with an approximate speed of 66 kilometers per second.
There will be no full moon, so it will result in a darker sky conducive to observing the meteor shower. However, it is essential to look for a place away from light and atmospheric pollution, where there are no artificial lights that hinder the view of the celestial spectacle.
