Look Up! Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower to Dazzle UK Skies Tonight

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Eta Aquariid meteor shower in the UK is set to deliver a dazzling night-sky display, with its peak arriving just hours away. From Tuesday evening into the early hours of Wednesday, stargazers can look up to catch flashes of light created by debris from Halley’s Comet, as the annual celestial event sweeps across the skies.

While Royal Museums Greenwich confirms the meteor shower will remain active until May 28, this midweek peak is expected to offer the most rewarding viewing opportunity. According to The Independent, a bright waning gibbous moon could “significantly hamper” visibility, potentially dimming the brilliance of the fainter meteors. That said, conditions may be less than ideal.

Featuring remnants from Halley’s Comet who last passed Earth in 1986, the celestial display is expected to slam into the atmosphere at speeds of up to 43 miles per second, producing the luminous streaks. 

Skywatchers under the eastern sky of the UK will enjoy the most visible vantage points during the peak right before dawn on Wednesday, May 6. Meanwhile, the rest of Britons can chase after the gleaming spectacle by looking towards the horizon. 

As with many celestial displays, watching the Eta Aquariid meteor shower doesn’t require professional gears. Citing GBNews, astrophysicist Nico Adams from SSP International quoted, “you’re looking for bright streaks that appear in the corner of your eye for a fraction of a second.” 

Furthermore, Royal Museums Greenwich said, “hunting for meteors, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game, so it’s best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while.”

Among night sky events in May, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower set the stone for even more eye-catching celestial spectacles this month.

Watch Venus and Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower This Week

1 hari lalu