If you take a moment to look into the sky at night or in the morning, you could see several shooting stars.
University of North Georgia Planetarium Director Dr. Lesley Simanton-Coogan says the Eta Aquarid meteor shower started at the end of April and runs through mid-May.
She says now is the peak of the celestial show adding, "The best time to view this one is just before sunrise at around 5:00 a.m. and probably for the next several days."
Simanton-Coogan says there's meaning behind the names of various meteor showers. "We name meteor showers usually after the constellation where the meteors look like they're streaming away from," explains Simanton-Coogan. She says the Eta Aquarid meteors will look like they're coming out from the constellation Aquarius, which you'll find in the east during the early morning hours. She suggests that you, "Put(ting) your back to the east where the meteors are going to start from will give you a better view of the whole sky."
She also says you need to allow yourself at least 30 minutes to sit in a dark area watching the sky to be able to see the most shooting stars.
Simanton-Coogan says the Eta Aquarid meteor shower happens every year when the earth travels through the dust particle trail left behind by Haley's Comet. She says if the weather doesn't cooperate for you to see this meteor shower, you can try to view the Perseid meteor shower in August.
