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NEWSLINE PAPER,- The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, traces of Halley's comet, is expected to provide a celestial show this weekend. Best viewing conditions are ahead with just a fading crescent moon lighting the sky.
An annual meteor shower called the Eta Aquarids usually awes viewers in early May. Early on Sunday this year, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere should be able to see between 10 and 30 meteors every hour at the peak activity. But Southern Hemisphere fans are in for an even more amazing show. The rain will last till May 27, giving fans plenty of opportunity to catch a glimpse.
How, therefore, can one best appreciate this natural phenomena and what precisely is a meteor shower?
Regular events all year round, meteor showers don't need any particular equipment to be observed. They come from comet debris; the Eta Aquarids can trace their ancestry to Halley's comet. The heat produced by the collision of these cosmic remains with Earth's atmosphere glows the air around them and leaves a light trail, a brief phenomena known as a "shooting star."
From microscopic dust particles to enormous rocks, these brilliant streaks produce stunning spectacles in the night sky that enthrall viewers all over the world.
These pointers can help everyone who are keen to see the cosmic ballet maximize their experience:
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| Nasa Photos |
Momentum is everything: Generally speaking, meteor showers are most noticeable between midnight and early morning. Arrange your viewing time to have the best opportunity of seeing these heavenly marvels.
Seek dark: Get out of cities and their brilliant lights to maximize visibility. The finest places from which to watch meteor showers are dark, open areas.
I like clean skies. Perfect viewing circumstances are offered by cloudless evenings, which let the meteors' brilliance to show through. Watch the weather and select a night with less clouds for the greatest sight.
Welcome the lunar cycles: Meteor shower visibility may vary with moon brightness. The Eta Aquarid peak this weekend fortunately falls on a declining crescent moon, which reduces lunar interference and improves the clarity of the show.
The ideal lunar circumstances promise a remarkable experience for spectators in both hemispheres, even though the Southern Hemisphere is best positioned to see the Eta Aquarids.
Future meteor showers, including best viewing days and moonlight conditions, can be found by enthusiasts using websites like the American Meteor Society. Slated for late July, the Southern Delta Aquarid meteor shower seems to be the next big celestial event.
All things considered, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower provides an enthralling chance to be in awe of the cosmos. Take advantage of this amazing show of the grandeur of nature, regardless of your level of familiarity with stargazing.
(Newsline Paper)