Prepare your eyes for a spectacular sky show this May! The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is set to dazzle Filipinos on Monday, May 5. Imagine up to 40 shooting stars blazing through the early morning sky every hour—a sight you won’t want to miss.
According to PAGASA, the shower’s radiant lies in the constellation Aquarius. As this glowing point climbs over the eastern horizon around 1:30 a.m., the magic begins. The best moment to catch this meteor frenzy? Just before sunrise, when the radiant soars highest at 8 a.m.
What makes this meteor shower extra special? It’s caused by debris from the legendary Halley’s Comet. No need for fancy telescopes—your naked eye is enough to witness the swift, bright streaks cutting across the dark sky.
The Eta Aquarids will be visible from April 19 until May 28, with May 5 promising the most breathtaking spectacle. To fully enjoy the show, PAGASA advises escaping city lights and finding a dark, open spot. Trust us, the sight of meteors racing across a clear sky is worth the trip.
But wait, there’s more! Another show named the η-Lyrids meteor shower will light up the sky from May 3 to 14, peaking on May 8. Although it’s a gentler display with up to three meteors per hour, it still offers a fascinating glimpse into the cosmos.
The radiant of the η-Lyrids is in the constellation Lyra, rising around 8:58 p.m. and shining brightest near 4 a.m. Yet, this shower might lose some of its sparkle due to the light of the full moon.
So, get ready to look up and be amazed—nature’s stellar fireworks are just around the corner!