The May Eta Aquariids

Each May, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower puts on a show in the early morning sky. These meteors get their name because they appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius, near the star Eta Aquarii. The Eta Aquariids are known for their fast, bright meteors and are especially exciting because they are connected to one of the most famous comets in history—Halley’s Comet. Observations of this shower go back hundreds of years, and it continues to impress skywatchers today.

What is a Meteor Shower?

When you see a shooting star, you’re witnessing a tiny bit of space dust burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. These pieces often come from the tails of comets or from asteroid fragments. As Earth moves along its orbit, it sometimes passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet. When that happens, we see more shooting stars than usual—a meteor shower!

The meteors appear to come from one part of the sky, called the radiant, which is why this shower is named after a star in Aquarius. Meteor showers last for several days, and the number of meteors changes from night to night. The best night to watch is the peak, when Earth moves through the densest part of the debris.

During the Eta Aquariids, you might see 20 to 40 meteors per hour under dark skies. These meteors travel very fast—about 41 miles (66 km) per second—often leaving glowing trails that can linger for a few seconds.

Halley’s Comet

The parent of the Eta Aquariids is the famous Halley’s Comet. This comet was first recorded by astronomers in 240 BCE and returns to the inner solar system about every 76 years. As it travels, it leaves a trail of tiny particles behind.

Every year in May, Earth crosses this trail, giving us the Eta Aquariid meteor shower. Interestingly, Halley’s Comet also causes another meteor shower—the Orionids in October—meaning we get two chances each year to see debris from the same comet.

The 2026 Eta Aquariids

In 2026, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower will be active from April 19 through May 28, with the peak expected in the early morning of May 6.

The radiant rises in the east a few hours before dawn, so the best time to observe is between about 3:00 a.m. and sunrise. For observers in Denver and similar latitudes, the radiant never climbs very high, which keeps meteor counts a bit lower than in the Southern Hemisphere—but the ones you do see are often long and dramatic.

This year, the Moon will be in a waning gibbous phase, rising after midnight. That means moonlight will interfere somewhat with viewing, especially closer to dawn. Your best strategy is to observe during the window before the Moon gets too high, or position yourself so a building or tree blocks its glare.

To improve your chances:

Find a dark location away from city lights
Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust
Look about 45–60 degrees away from the radiant for longer meteor streaks

A Few Fun Facts

Eta Aquariid meteors are known for producing “Earthgrazers”—long, shallow streaks that skim across the atmosphere.
Some years show brief outbursts above the normal rate when Earth encounters denser clumps of debris.
The particles you’re seeing are often thousands of years old, shed by Halley’s Comet on past visits to the inner solar system.

Keep Looking Up!

The Eta Aquariids are a special treat for early risers. Watching a tiny piece of Halley’s Comet burn up in the sky is a thrilling experience that connects us to both the past and the vastness of space.

So grab a blanket, set your alarm, and enjoy the show.