One of April’s ongoing nighttime views will continue on into May with the highlight approaching on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6.
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower started on April 15 and ends on May 27, but early May will offer the best chance to see the Eta Aquarids. This cosmic debris, consisting of ice and dust, belongs to a celestial icon, as Space.com called it: Halley’s Comet.
Often known as the most famous of comets according to NASA, Halley’s Comet was last seen in Earth’s skies in 1986. Its next perihelion, or moment of closest proximity to the sun in one revolution, will be on July 27, 2061.
Despite where they’re from, the Eta Aquarids appear to come from the direction of the constellation Aquarius from Earth’s perspective, according to Space.com. The website does not recommend looking directly at Aquarius to see the meteors, as they will be visible across the night sky.
“Make sure to move your gaze around to nearby constellations as meteors closer to the radiant have shorter trains and are more difficult to spot,” Space.com instructed. “If you only look at Aquarius, you might miss the more spectacular Eta Aquarids.”
Visibility is expected to be fair between May 5 and 6, according to TimeandDate.com. While the Eta Aquarids are best seen in the Southern Hemisphere, TimeandDate.com confirmed that Massachusetts residents will also have “fair” visibility between those nights.
However, TimeandDate.com and the Weather Channel both warn of potentially overcast skies and rain between May 5 and May 6 in Central Massachusetts. Closer to Springfield, specifically Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest in Plainfield, skies are expected to be more visible for viewing the meteor shower’s peak.
This park is listed as one of the darkest places in Massachusetts for stargazing, astrophotography, star parties and club events, according to Go Astronomy’s Dark Sky Parks in Massachusetts.
If the meteor shower is visible in person, telescopes or binoculars are not necessary, Space.com said. Observers can let their eyes adjust to the darkness, allowing themselves 30 minutes to do so. Space.com recommends avoiding the use of a phone and checking if red light settings are available on flashlights “to preserve your night vision.”