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<\/p>\nThe skies above Australia will light up overnight, giving Aussies the chance to witness one of the fastest meteor showers in the solar system.<\/p>\n
The Eta Aquarids, also known as Eta Aquarii, is produced by debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.<\/p>\n
Each year between late April and late May, the Earth collides with the comet\u2019s trail of dust, sending debris into Earth\u2019s atmosphere at a speed of 65km per second.<\/p>\n
While the comet particles are only about the size of a grain of sand to a grain of rice, the speed at which they travel can produce streaks of light that stretch for kilometres in the night sky.<\/p>\n
RELATED<\/p>\n
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The blaze will produce up to 50 shooting stars per hour at its peak, according to NASA. Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
(Roberto Michel via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Eta Aquarids will produce up to 50 shooting stars per hour at its peak, according to NASA.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, a bright waning gibbous moon will make it hard to see some of the fainter meteors this year. However, the brighter streaks should still be visible.<\/p>\n
The shower is set to reach its peak in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the best of the intense show to shine in the pre-dawn hours when the sky is at its darkest.<\/p>\n
The Eta Aquarids don\u2019t require a telescope or eye protection, so strap yourself in and find the darkest place, and look overhead rather than directly at the Moon.<\/p>\n
You should give yourself 30 minutes to adjust your eyes, making sure to stay away from light pollution.<\/p>\n
If you get great pics of the Eta Aquarids, let us know! Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n What time should I be awake for Eta Aquarids?<\/p>\n For the best chance to see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, look towards the east or northeast during the hours before dawn.<\/p>\n The best viewing times begin at 2am for each state and territory, while finishing windows vary:<\/p>\n Queensland 6.15am (all local times), NSW 6.30am, ACT 6.40am, Western Australia 6.50am, South Australia and NT 6.55am, Victoria 7amam, and Tasmania 7.05am.<\/p>\n Where does the name Eta Aquarids come from?<\/p>\n Meteor showers are typically named after the constellation that sits close to the point in the sky where they appear to originate.<\/p>\n This point is called the radiant.<\/p>\n The radiant of the meteor shower caused by Halley\u2019s comet appears to sit in the direction of the constellation Aquarius, and the meteor shower is named after a star in this constellation, therefore called Eta Aquarii.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n