Among the highlights of spring’s celestial displays, the Eta Aquarids stand out as a meteor shower both prolific and delightfully accessible — even if you’re stargazing from the Northern Hemisphere. Produced by dust and debris from Halley’s Comet, the Eta Aquarids can light up the skies with swift, bright “shooting stars.”
When and Where to Look

Active Window: April 19 – May 28
Peak: Night of May 6 to dawn on May 7
Radiant: Constellation Aquarius
Estimated Rate: Up to 60 meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere and up to 30 per hour in the Northern Hemisphere

This year, a waxing gibbous moon will brighten the night sky, which could wash out some of the fainter meteors. However, the Eta Aquarids often feature fast and luminous meteors that can still pierce through moonlight. If you’re patient, you’ll have a great chance of catching some truly spectacular fireballs.
Origin and Character

The Eta Aquarids owe their existence to Comet Halley, one of the most famous comets in history, whose recorded observations date back millennia. Every year, Earth travels through a stream of debris left behind by Halley. As these tiny particles strike our atmosphere at high speed, they burn up, creating the brilliant streaks we call meteors.

Fast Facts:

Speed: The Eta Aquarid meteors can zip through the atmosphere at up to 44 miles (71 kilometers) per second.
Fireballs: Given their speed, look out for meteors that leave bright, enduring trails.

How to Maximize Your Viewing

Time It Right
The best viewing window is after midnight until dawn on May 6–7. Even if you can’t watch during the peak nights, the first week of May still offers good meteor activity.

Find a Dark Location
Seek out a site away from city lights. Check out resources like lightpollutionmap.info to find darker skies near you.

Prepare for Moonlight
With the moon shining brightly, you may need extra patience. Focus on the hours closer to dawn, when the Moon will have set lower on the horizon, giving you a darker sky.

Face East
The meteors radiate from Aquarius, but they can appear anywhere in the sky. Lying back to take in a wide view is often the best strategy.

Stay Warm and Comfortable
Even in spring, nights can be chilly — especially in higher elevations. Dress in layers, bring a reclining chair or blanket, and maybe a hot drink to keep cozy.

Part of a Cosmic Dance

The Eta Aquarids are linked to Halley’s Comet, which will not visit the inner solar system again until 2061. Still, each May, it leaves behind a small cosmic gift: a sky show accessible to observers around the globe.

Want more meteor shower fun? Check out our blog post on the Lyrids Meteor Shower for another spring stargazing opportunity.
Join an AstroTour!

At AstroTours.org, we host viewing events for major meteor showers — including the Eta Aquarids. Our expert guides provide telescopes for planetary views, star clusters, and double stars while you wait for the meteors to fly by overhead. And no need to stress if you can’t join a tour: The Eta Aquarids are wonderful to enjoy solo or with friends under a calm, dark sky.

Pro Tip: If you’re keen to see a broader list of naked-eye astronomical events in 2025, check out this handy guide from Space.com.
Embrace the Night Sky

The Eta Aquarids are a reminder that outer space is never truly distant. With every shooting star, we witness a fragment of cosmic history disintegrating in our atmosphere. So grab a warm jacket, find a dark patch of Earth, and enjoy the silent firework show bestowed on us by the remnants of Halley’s Comet. Good luck, clear skies, and happy meteor watching!

Luke Huxley Astronomer & Educator

Luke Huxley is the founder of AstroTours.org and a passionate advocate for making astronomy accessible and exciting. A graduate in astrophysics from the University of Colorado, Luke combines his scientific background with storytelling to craft unforgettable stargazing experiences. He’s traveled the globe for astronomy, including a stint working with "Space Gandalf" in Australia which inspired him to start AstroTours.org. Luke hosts astronomy programs weekly just outside of boulder where he takes guests on a guided astronomy tour across the universe.