Edinburgh and Lothians star-gazers might be in for a treat on 5 and 6 May 2020, as the Eta Aquariids meteor shower is set to peak over the area.
The meteors separated from the huge Halley's Comet hundreds of years ago, and now can be seen from Earth from about April 19 to May 28 each year, with a peak of activity around 5 May.
The Eta Aquariids peak is more of a broad maximum than a sharp 'blink and you miss it' peak, meaning that there are good rates of activity for a longer time, helping people in Edinburgh to see them.
The Eta Aquariids get their name because their radiant - the part of the sky they appear to originate in - appears to lie in the constellation Aquarius, near one of the constellation's brightest starts, Eta Aquarii.
The meteor shower is best viewed in the pre-dawn hours away from the glow of city life, as we are in the northern hemisphere, the shower will appear close to the horizon.
The meteor shower calendar predicts we could see 50 meteors per hour during the peak.
It's a great activity to try while we're currently having to stay in due to the coronavirus pandemic.
| Eta Aquarids meteor shower for Edinburgh (Night between 4 May and 5 May) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Azimuth/Direction | Altitude |
| Tue 03:00 | 94° |
1.6° |
| Tue 04:00 | 106° |
9.6° |
| Tue 05:00 | 120° |
17.3° |
How to See the Eta Aquarids from Edinburgh
You don't need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower.
Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and a good place to wait.
Firstly you need to find a secluded viewing spot away from the city lights, and then let your eyes get used to the darkness.
Make sure you wrap up warm and are comfortable: bring a blanket or camping chair with you.
Look up in the direction of the radiant: and be patient. It might take a while but if the sky is clear you should spot them.
