Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower Peaks Tomorrow In The UK

We love a good meteor shower, and with us all spending a lot more time at home, you are likely to have more time to prepare for it and allow yourself a later night to enjoy it.

The Eta Aquarids peak in the UK tomorrow, and it is expected to be seen best between midnight on 5 May and dawn on 6 May.

PA

Although the southern hemisphere will get the best view, from the northern hemisphere we can expect to see what are known as 'earthgrazers' - where they are seen above the horizon.

NASA explained: "The Eta Aquarids are pieces of debris from Halley's Comet, which is a well-known comet that is viewable from Earth approximately every 76 years.

"Also known as 1P/Halley, this comet was last viewable from Earth in 1986 and won't be visible again until the middle of 2061.

"The annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower gets its name because the radiant - or direction of origin - of the meteors appears to come from the constellation Aquarius."

The cosmic event has been active from 24 April and lasts until 20 May, with the peak expected in the next few days, depending where you're based.

NASA has given some advice on how best to see them.

Its website reads: "To view the Eta Aquarids find an area well away from city or street lights. Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.

PA

"After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient - the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse."

If you're not sure what these huge fiery balls in the sky are, here's a quick explanation. Meteors are made up of particles left over from comets or bits of broken asteroid. They leave a dusty trail behind them, and when they earth passes through the trails of debris, bits collide with out atmosphere.

These pieces can be as small as a grain of sand, but when they hit the atmosphere, they disintegrate and because they are moving so quickly, turn into balls of fire that can be viewed from the earth's surface and often look like fiery, colourful streaks - known as shooting stars.

So wrap up warm, give the telly a rest and wait it out for a view of the natural phenomenon.

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. After a few years working on festivals and events, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward