Meteor Shower Will Make “Bright Fireballs” in the Sky Friday—Here’s How to See It
AstroStar/Shutterstock
For some people, the return of warm weather each spring is enough of a reason to start taking time to look up at the night sky. Even those who don’t know much about stargazing usually find some enjoyment in taking in the constellations, moon, and planets—even if there isn’t a special event like a passing comet or lunar eclipse. But if you’re looking to catch a glimpse of something special, you may want to set aside some time to catch a meteor shower that will make “bright fireballs” appear in the sky starting later this week. Read on for how you can see the dazzling natural spectacle yourself.
READ THIS NEXT: The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says .
bjdlzx/iStock
Even though April just saw its fair share of astronomical excitement , there’s still plenty more to come in the days ahead. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower has kicked off and will be putting on a nightly show until it peaks later this week, according to Space.com.
While the “shooting stars” are an annual event each May, they’re actually born from the dust trail of the famously infrequent Halley’s comet, which only circles close by every 76 years. When the tiny particles of rock collide with the Earth’s atmosphere as our planet passes through each year, it causes them to burn up bright as they fall through the sky towards the ground, according to NASA.
AstroStar/Shutterstock
During most years, the annual Eta Aquarids generate a dazzling show with roughly 10 to 30 meteors streaking across the sky per hour during the peak. The shower is also famous for how fast its objects move, which creates glowing “trains” in their wake that can last for “several seconds to minutes,” per NASA.
But this year, the spectacle could be even more memorable . “They are projected to have a significant outburst on the night of May 4 [and] 5,” Bill Cooke , the lead for NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, told Space.com. He explains that the surge “will be caused by particles ejected from Comet Halley way back in 390 [BCE], and rates should be over two times the norm.”
The increase in frequency will be a boost for an annual event already known for “exhibiting bright meteors/fireballs, so it could be a pretty decent show,” Cooke said.
anatoliy_gleb/iStock
If you plan to catch the Eta Aquarids during their peak later this week, you might want to alter your sleep schedule or plan to sleep in late the following day. That’s because the shower’s radiant—or apparent source—is in the Aquarius cancellation. The stars are higher overhead in the Southern Hemisphere during the spring and take longer into the night to become visible in northern skies, according to NASA.
“The Etas are not a shower that you can go out to see after sunset because the radiant won’t be up,” Cooke told Space.com. Instead, he suggests getting outside around 2 a.m. and watching near the horizon as activity increases towards dawn.
Shutterstock
Although this year’s peak will coincide with the brightness of the full moon, you can still set yourself up for what could be a memorable spectacle by considering a few expert pointers. As always, it’s best to get away from light pollution by finding the darkest possible location , ideally away from bright street lamps or illuminated homes, according to Earth Sky. You should also get comfy by bringing along a warm blanket or chair that will allow you to spread out and recline.
Since it’s best to get expansive views of as much of the night sky as possible, you can leave your telescope or binoculars behind—unless you’re planning on scoping out other stationary objects, says Space.com. You’ll need about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, which includes avoiding looking at your phone. If you’re worried about fumbling around in the dark, consider bringing a flashlight with a red light setting to help cut down on glare.
You can also pack along a thermos of a hot beverage and dress warmly to ensure you stay comfortable through the late hours. But overall, patience can be the most essential part of enjoying nature’s show.
“Meteor watching is a lot like fishing: Sometimes you catch a good number of them, and sometimes you don’t,” writes Earth Sky.
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
Stocker plus/Shutterstock
Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
READ THIS NEXT: NASA Promises Humans Living on the Moon in 10 Years .
GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock
If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
Lost_in_the_Midwest/Shutterstock
Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
Shutterstock
So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
Shutterstock / Mihai O Coman
If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
