Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower in The Canary Islands May 2024

The Eta Aquarids, a spectacular display of shooting stars associated with the renowned Halley's Comet, are currently gracing the night sky. While visible from April 19th until around May 28th, the peak activity is approaching, and the Canary Islands are touted as one of the prime spots for optimal viewing.

The upcoming New Moon on May 8th will bring darker skies in the days leading up to it, creating optimal conditions for observing the Eta Aquarid meteor shower at its peak between May 5th and 6th with the most intense activity is expected on the night of May 5th, around 10:00pm.

According to the National Astronomical Observatory (OAN), sky gazers can anticipate spotting between 40 to 85 Eta Aquarid meteors per hour, hurtling through the atmosphere at around 66 kilometers per second.

What are the Eta Aquarius Meteors?

The Eta Aquarid meteors are remnants of Comet 1P/Halley, which completes an orbit around the Sun every 76 years. Its last appearance from Earth was in 1986. Each year around this time, Earth crosses a region filled with fragments shed by Halley's Comet.

When one of these fragments, known as meteoroids, enters Earth's atmosphere, it burns up due to friction with the air, resulting in the luminous streak we call a meteor or shooting star. Halley's Comet is also responsible for another meteor shower, the Orionids, which peak around October 21st.

This meteor shower seems to originate from a specific point in the sky known as the radiant, which lends the shower its name. In the case of the Eta Aquarids, their radiant is positioned near the star Eta in the constellation of Aquarius.

Viewing the Eta Aquarius Meteor Shower in The Canary Islands

Thanks to relatively low light pollution The Canary Islands are a great place for observing the night sky, and a prime spot for viewing events such as the Eta Aquarius Meteor Shower. There are regular Stargazing Excursions in Tenerife that are often attended by both enthusiasts and professional star gazers.

Ideal observation sites are areas with minimal light pollution, offering unobstructed views of the sky. It's best to avoid locations with buildings, trees, or mountains that could obscure the view. Using optical instruments that narrow the field of vision is discouraged. Instead, opt for a comfortable position, lying back and allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness.