They slam into Earth's atmosphere at 148,000 miles per hour
Each May, Earth passes through the ancient trail left by Halley's Comet, and the particles that have drifted in space for centuries ignite in our atmosphere as the Eta Aquarids meteor shower. This weekend marks the peak of that encounter, with up to 30 meteors per hour streaking across the sky at 148,000 miles per hour — a reminder that our planet is never truly still, but always moving through a cosmos full of history. The comet itself won't return until 2061, yet its presence is felt on schedule, a kind of cosmic correspondence that requires only darkness and patience to receive.
- The Eta Aquarids hit their peak this weekend, offering one of spring's most active meteor displays with up to 30 shooting stars per hour at their height.
- Viewers in the Southern Hemisphere and near the equator hold the advantage, while Northern Hemisphere observers must work harder — looking straight up rather than toward the horizon — to catch the show.
- The optimal window is narrow: set an alarm for 3 a.m. local time after moonset, escape city lights, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark.
- NASA scientists are watching closely to see whether 2022 rates stay modest or spike unexpectedly ahead of a predicted future outburst, adding a layer of scientific suspense to the spectacle.
This weekend, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower reaches its peak, offering up to 30 meteors per hour at their most active. These streaks of light travel at roughly 148,000 miles per hour as they burn up in Earth's atmosphere — fast, brilliant, and entirely harmless.
The source is Halley's Comet, which sweeps through the inner solar system every 75 to 76 years and leaves behind a trail of debris. Every May, Earth's orbit carries it straight through that trail, and the resulting collisions with our atmosphere produce the shooting stars we call the Eta Aquarids. Halley itself won't return until around 2061, but its legacy arrives punctually each spring.
The shower favors the Southern Hemisphere and equatorial regions, where meteors appear most numerous. Northern Hemisphere observers can still participate by looking toward the zenith rather than the horizon, a tip offered by NASA's Bill Cooke, who directs the Meteoroid Environment Office at Marshall Space Flight Center.
For the best experience, aim for around 3 a.m. local time after the moon has set, find a dark location away from city lights, and give your eyes time to adapt. A lawn chair helps — staring upward for extended periods takes a toll. Red-filtered light preserves night vision if you need to check your phone.
Scientists are also watching to see whether this year's rates stay low or climb unexpectedly before a predicted future outburst, making 2022 a year worth paying attention to.
This weekend, one of spring's most prolific meteor showers arrives at its peak. The Eta Aquarids are about to light up the night sky, and all you need to do is walk outside and look up—specifically, toward the southern horizon.
The shower reached its approximate peak on Friday morning, May 6, and will maintain a strong display over the coming days, with rates climbing to as many as 30 meteors per hour at their best. What makes these meteors particularly striking is their velocity: they slam into Earth's atmosphere at roughly 148,000 miles per hour, fast enough to create brilliant streaks across the dark. The debris burns up harmlessly before ever reaching the ground.
The source of this celestial show is Halley's Comet, the famous periodic visitor that swings through the inner solar system once every 75 to 76 years. Each time it passes, it leaves behind a trail of dust and rock fragments. Earth's orbit carries our planet directly through this debris field every May, and when those particles collide with our atmosphere, they ignite in the way we recognize as shooting stars. Halley itself won't return until around 2061, but its calling card arrives on schedule every spring.
The Eta Aquarids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere or near the equator, where they appear most numerous and dramatic. Northern Hemisphere observers shouldn't give up, though. Bill Cooke, who directs NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, notes that viewers in the north can still catch glimpses if they know where to look. The meteors originate in the constellation Aquarius near the celestial equator, but the real trick is to look straight up at the zenith rather than toward the horizon—this maximizes the number of meteors your eyes can catch.
For optimal viewing, set your alarm for around 3 a.m. local time, after the moon has set. Find a location away from city lights and arrive at least 20 minutes early to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Bring a lawn chair to spare your neck the strain of staring upward for hours. If you need to use a phone or flashlight, cover it with red tape or a red filter to preserve your night vision. The darkness is your ally.
Cooke has expressed curiosity about whether this year's rates will remain modest or whether a spike might occur before the next predicted outburst. The meteor shower, while reliable, can vary in intensity from year to year, and scientists are watching to see what 2022 delivers. For those wanting to photograph the event, practice your camera settings beforehand—night sky photography has its own demands, and the peak is not the time to learn your equipment. If you capture something remarkable, Live Science welcomes submissions at community@livescience.com.
Citações Notáveis
It will be interesting to see if the rates are low this year, or if we will get a spike in numbers before next year's forecast outburst— Bill Cooke, NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why does Halley's Comet create a meteor shower every year if it only visits every 75 years?
Because it leaves behind a trail of debris—dust and rock fragments—that stays in space. Earth passes through that same trail every May, like walking through a cloud of particles that were scattered decades ago.
So we're not seeing the comet itself?
No, we're seeing the debris it shed on its last pass. The comet won't be back until 2061, but its dust is here every spring.
Why are they so fast—148,000 miles per hour?
That's their orbital speed when they collide with Earth's atmosphere. They're traveling through space at that velocity, and when they hit air molecules, friction creates the heat and light we see as a streak.
Is the Southern Hemisphere really that much better for viewing?
Yes, because the radiant point—where the meteors appear to originate—sits near the celestial equator. From the south, it climbs higher in the sky, so you see more meteors. But northerners can still see them if they look straight up rather than at the horizon.
Why 3 a.m.?
That's when your location on Earth has rotated to face into the debris stream more directly. It's also after the moon sets, so the sky is darkest. Earlier in the night, the moon's light washes out the fainter meteors.
What's the risk of one actually hitting something?
None. They burn up completely in the atmosphere. The friction that makes them visible is also what destroys them before they reach the ground.