April 19 – May 28 · Aquarius
Eta Aquariids
Fast dawn meteors from Halley's Comet
See the Eta Aquariids from your location
See the exact local peak time and how high the radiant climbs from where you are.
What is the Eta Aquariids meteor shower?
Swift, glancing meteors from Halley's Comet, best seen from the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere in the hours before dawn. They often leave glowing trains that hang in the sky for seconds.
When do the Eta Aquariids peak in 2026?
The Eta Aquariids peak on the night of May 6, 2026. Under ideal dark skies with the radiant high overhead they can produce up to 50 meteors an hour — the number you'll actually see depends on your latitude, the moon, and how dark your sky is.
Eta Aquariids at a glance
Where the Eta Aquariids come from
The Eta Aquariids are debris shed by 1P/Halley, a comet. Each year the Earth ploughs through this ancient trail of dust and the specks burn up in our atmosphere as meteors.
How to watch the Eta Aquariids
Get away from city lights
Light pollution is the enemy. A dark rural sky can turn a handful of meteors into dozens.
Look up after midnight
Most showers are best between midnight and dawn, when your side of Earth turns to face the debris stream head-on.
Let your eyes adapt
Give your eyes 20 minutes in the dark and put the phone away. Then just watch — meteors can streak across any part of the sky.
Common questions about the Eta Aquariids
When do the Eta Aquariids peak in 2026?+
The Eta Aquariids reach their maximum on the night of May 6, 2026, though a few meteors are visible from April 19 – May 28.
Where should I look to see the Eta Aquariids?+
The meteors radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but they streak across the whole sky — you don't need to find the radiant. Just face the darkest part of your sky and take in as much of it as you can.
Do I need a telescope to watch the Eta Aquariids?+
No. Meteor showers are a naked-eye event — a telescope's narrow view would only work against you. All you need is a dark sky, a reclining chair, and some patience.
What causes the Eta Aquariids?+
The Eta Aquariids happen when Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by 1P/Halley. The dust grains hit our atmosphere at 66 km/s and burn up as bright streaks of light.
Other meteor showers
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