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Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Peaks with Stunning Pre-Dawn Display

Debris from Halley’s Comet lights up skies worldwide, with Southern Hemisphere offering the best views of up to 50 meteors per hour.

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Star Trails of the Aquarids Meteor Shower in California.
Perseid meteor shower in dark night sky with milky way above Beskydy in Czech Republic.

Overview

  • The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, reaches its peak in the early hours of May 6, 2025, offering optimal viewing conditions before dawn.
  • Southern Hemisphere observers enjoy the best show, with up to 50 meteors per hour, while Northern Hemisphere viewers see lower rates of 10–20 meteors per hour.
  • The waxing gibbous Moon, at 64% illumination, sets before peak viewing hours, minimizing its impact on visibility of the meteors.
  • NASA advises stargazers to find dark locations, lie flat with feet facing east, and allow 30 minutes for eyes to adjust for the best experience.
  • The Eta Aquarids will remain active at diminishing rates until May 28, offering continued opportunities for meteor viewing this month.