In the debris of Halley’s Comet, streams of dust catch the light to create a meteor shower called the Eta Aquariids.
Jonti Horner, a professor of astrophysics from the University of Southern Queensland, said it’s one of the few celestial events better seen from below the equator.
“It’s unusual as it’s one of the only annual showers better seen in the southern hemisphere,” he said.
“We really get a ringside seat, the best deal.”
The Eta Aquariid shower is an annual event, but this year’s display looks to be extra special according to Horner, thanks to a new moon.
“The darker the sky, the more meteors you can see, and this year the moon should be out of the way and not very visible, so conditions are perfect.”
Horner said that, coupled with the prediction of darker skies, scientists believe the shower itself could have significantly enhanced rates of activity.
“This could be the strongest shower of the 21st century, including the last 24 years and the 76 years to come,” he said.
How Australians can see the Eta Aquariids
Earth begins to encounter the debris from Halley’s Comet in mid-April, but for around a week centred on 6 May, the planet moves through the densest part of the stream, and the Eta Aquariids reach their peak.
The shower will be visible in the early hours of the morning, with the peak viewing time around 90 minutes after the rising of the radiant, the point where meteors seem to appear from.
Horner said people wanting to enjoy the shower should mark 6 May as the best day to see the Eta Aquariids.
“Early Monday (6 May) morning will be the best time to see the shower, over the weekend and Tuesday it will be visible but only barely,” he said.
“My advice: set your alarm for 3am or 3:30am, make a warm drink, head outside and sit or lie down facing north, north-east, and relax until sunrise looking at the sky.”
Horner also had some advice for stargazers hoping to avoid a sleepless night.
“If you don’t fancy an early morning wakeup, the is getting easier to see in the early evening,” he said.
Source Agencies
