Bright Moon May Dim Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Visibility
Bright Moon May Dim Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Visibility
US · Published May 2, 2026
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, sourced from Halley's Comet, peaks Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
A bright moon (84% full) will likely reduce the visibility of the meteor shower.
Southern Hemisphere observers typically see up to 50 meteors/hour, but this may be halved; Northern Hemisphere observers may see fewer than 10.
Eta Aquarids peak hampered by bright moon
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, originating from Halley's Comet debris, is set to peak between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, a bright waning gibbous moon, at 84% fullness, is expected to significantly reduce the visibility of the meteors. Typically, viewers in the Southern Hemisphere can witness up to 50 meteors per hour during the peak. However, the moon's brightness could cut this number in half, making it more challenging to observe the meteors. The outlook is even less promising for those in the Northern Hemisphere, where fewer than 10 meteors per hour are anticipated to be visible under these conditions.
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