Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks during early May each year. Eta Aquarid meteors are known for their speed.
science.nasa.govHere’s the latest on the Eta Aquarid meteor shower.
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Peak timing: The Eta Aquarids typically peak in early May, with the 2026 peak best visible in the predawn hours of May 5. Observers in favorable conditions can catch heightened activity around that window, though the shower remains active for several days around the peak.[3][4]
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Expected meteor rates: Under dark skies, observers might see tens of meteors per hour at the shower’s peak, with visibility affected by moonlight and the radiant’s position in Aquarius. In recent years, southern hemisphere observers tend to enjoy stronger viewing, while northern latitudes may see lower hourly rates due to geometry and target elevation.[4][3]
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Viewing tips: For the best chance, find a dark location away from city lights, choose a site with a wide horizon toward the southeast (where Aquarius rises), and watch in the pre-dawn hours when auroral or twilight interference is lowest. The meteors are fast and often appear near the horizon, so give your eyes time to adapt and scan a wide area rather than aiming at a single point.[3][4]
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Parent body and what to expect: The shower originates from debris left by Halley’s Comet, so the meteors are typically swift and short-lived as they burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. You might see a mix of bright streaks and occasional faster “Earthgrazers” along the horizon during the predawn watches.[4][3]
If you’d like, I can tailor viewing tips to your location in São Paulo, Brazil (UTC−3) and suggest a viewing window based on local dawn times and moon phase for May 5, 2026. I can also pull a quick sky-visibility forecast for your night.