Photo courtesy of tonynetone’s photostream
The annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower is expected to peak this weekend, but the largest full moon of the year will obscure these meteors.
When no moon is around to spoil the show, you can see 10 to 20 meteors per hour at mid-northern latitudes and perhaps twice that number in the Southern Hemisphere. The best time to watch is during the wee hours before dawn.
High tide alert – closest full moon of 2012 on May 5
The Eta Aquarid meteors are strictly for night owls or early risers. This shower doesn’t start until around 2 or 3 a.m. The meteors are few and far between at that hour, but the wee hours are a time for catching earth-grazing meteors. An earth-grazer is a long, slow, colorful meteor that horizontally streaks the sky.
The closer to dawn, the more Eta Aquarid meteors you’re likely to see. These meteors are extremely fast and often bright, striking Earth’s atmosphere at 66 kilometers – about 41 miles – per second. Many of the brighter meteors leave persistent trains – glowing ionized gas trails – for a few moments after their fiery plunge.
Although the bright full moon will obscure the Eta Aquarids, the moon can guide your eye to the planet Saturn and the star Spica.
The bright moon obscures meteors but guides you to the planet Saturn and star Spica before dawn on Saturday, May 5
To recap, the Eta Aquarid meteors will probably produce the most meteors during the predawn hours on Saturday and Sunday. However, the light from the largest full moon of the year is sure to wash out all but the brightest Eta Aquarid meteors, yet will guide your eye to the planet Saturn and the star Spica.
Why does the Eta Aquarid meteor shower favor the Southern Hemisphere?
