Edmund Halley discovered Comet Halley in 1705. Through past observations of the natural phenomenon, he predicted the orbit of Halley and suggested that the continuous demonstrations of meteor showers were in fact all coming from the same comet.
Halley is perhaps the most famous comet around the world and it has been sighted for millennia. Comet Halley's dimensions are 16 x 8 x 8 km, and it is one of the darkest, least reflective objects in the solar system with an albedo of 0.03.
The Eta Aquarids is one of the two meteor showers that result as our planet passes through debris left behind by Halley’s comet. The other meteorshower is Orionids, which comes each October.
This year, Eta Aquarid (s) or Eta Aquariid (s), will peak during daylight hours of May 5 across the U.S. Slightly higher rates are likely overnight May 4-5 than on May 5-6, but the shower’s broad peak means that both nights will have meteors. Some may be visible for a few days before and after the peak.
“For most observers, the Eta Aquarids are only visible during the last couple hours before the start of morning twilight,” stated the American Meteor Society. “The reason for this is that the radiant is situated approximately 60 degrees west of the sun. Therefore, it rises before the sun in the morning hours.”
According to NASA, sky-watchers can expect 30 to 60 shooting stars per hour coming their way. Slooh’s live stream of the event will make sure you do not miss a thing. But remember, try not to blink! These meteors are expected to enter the atmosphere at speeds of around 148, 000 mph.
Here are some fast facts about the meteor shower:
1) Comet of origin: 1P Halley
2) Radiant: Constellation Aquarius
3) Active: April 19 – May 28, 2016
4) Peak Activity: May 5 and 6, 2016
5) Meteor Velocity: 66 kilometers per second (44 miles per second)
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