For stargazers across Asia, a celestial show is about to unfold as the Eta Aquariid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight.
The annual display, linked to the famous Halley's Comet, will be visible from the evening of May 5 through the early hours of May 6. While Halley's Comet itself won't return until 2061, its debris trail lights up our night sky twice a year – the Eta Aquariids in May and the Orionids in October.
Travelers and locals alike can expect swift, bright meteors cutting across the sky, often leaving lingering trails. With a zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of around 50 meteors at peak, the shower is classified as medium intensity, but its speed and duration make it a favorite among astrophotographers.
For the best experience, experts advise heading to open areas away from city lights and positioning yourself so that the moon is hidden behind a building or hill. There's no need to stare directly at the shower's radiant point – meteors can appear anywhere, and a wide field of view maximizes the chance of spotting a streak.
Whether you are a night‑sky enthusiast in Tokyo, a curious traveler in New Delhi, or a family in a rural district, the early May sky offers a simple, free spectacle that connects us to the ancient orbit of a comet first recorded millennia ago.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
