It’s the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, the remnants of Halley’s Comet, which grace the skies annually from April 15th to May 27th. This year, the show reaches its peak during the new moon phase, promising minimal interference from moonlight – a far cry from the bright full moon that overshadowed last year’s shower.
While the Eta Aquarids typically offer their best views from the Southern Hemisphere or regions close to the equator, Northern California will be able to experience the impressive shower of 10 to 30 meteors per hour during this peak night. For the best viewing, head to the darkest possible location away from any city lights, then sit back and gaze at the sky. To maximize visibility, give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
The meteors originate from the constellation Aquarius, but turning your focus away from the constellation will give you the best view as the meteors will streak across the entire sky.
