How to Watch Today’s Meteor Shower Eta-Aquarid

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is the last good rain this week before July, so try to catch it if you can, according to the American Meteor Society .

The best time to catch a star show is two hours before dawn, so set your alarm early (or go to bed very late). Turn your back to the moon (if it is still up) and look at the eastern half of the sky. You can also just lie on your back and look up; meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. These meteors are called Aquarids because they emanate from the constellation Aquarius. (This Aquarius is one of the stars in this constellation.)

This meteor shower is more noticeable the further south you go, and people are best seen in the Southern Hemisphere. But many of us in the continental United States will still be able to see something if the weather provides us with a clear view of the sky in the morning hours. If you can’t see meteors tonight, try it tomorrow night.

The Eta Aquarid meteors are composed of debris that broke away from Halley’s comet hundreds of years ago. The next time we see Halley’s comet itself is in 2061 (the last time it passed in 1986). Until then, this is the best option.

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