May 06
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which is already underway at a modest rate and consists of debris from Halley’s Comet, will peak tonight, May 6th, Astronomy reports.
Underneath a dark sky, observers could see up to 20 meteors per hour, or about one every three minutes, the report said. That number could persist tomorrow morning and the day after as well.
The meteors “began life as tiny specks of dust” from Halley’s Comet as it passed around the Sun throughout the eons, the report said. Every May, Earth runs through the dust streams, which pass over the planet at 148,000 miles per hour. They vaporize thanks to air friction, and leave beautiful “shooting stars,” or streaks of light.
Halley’s Comet itself last passed by Earth in 1986, and is due to arrive again in 2061. (Image credit: Astronomy.com)
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