Eta Aquariids 2026: Peak Date & Where to See May’s Best Meteor Shower
The best meteor shower in May, the Eta Aquariids, peaks around May 6, 2026. Australia and other Southern Hemisphere locations get the best view, while observers in the Northern Hemisphere can still catch some fast meteors low in the sky before sunrise. Below, you’ll find the Eta Aquariids’ peak times, visibility forecast, and the observation tips for this year. For the best time to watch the Eta Aquariids in your exact location, use the free Sky Tonight app.
Contents
- Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2026: Quick Facts
- Eta Aquariids 2026: Peak Date & Best Time to Watch
- How to Watch the Eta Aquariids in 2026?
- What causes the Eta Aquariids?
- Eta Aquariids F.A.Q.
- Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2026: Key Facts
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2026: Quick Facts
- Active: April 19 – May 28
- Predicted peak date: May 6
- Best time to watch: pre-dawn hours from around May 4 to 7
- Meteors/hour: 50 (fewer visible due to moonlight)
- Moon illumination: 83%
- Radiant location: Constellation Aquarius
- Parent body: Halley’s Comet (1P/Halley)
- Best visible from: Southern Hemisphere
The Eta Aquariids are famous for their fast meteors and persistent glowing trails. Under ideal viewing conditions, this meteor shower can produce up to 50 shooting stars per hour.
Eta Aquariids 2026: Peak Date & Best Time to Watch
In 2026, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is predicted to peak around May 6, although its activity remains strong for several days, with the mornings of May 4 to 7 offering the best viewing window. The shower’s radiant in Aquarius rises highest before dawn, so the pre-dawn hours will be the best time to watch the Eta Aquariids.
How to Watch the Eta Aquariids in 2026?
Eta Aquariids 2026 Visibility Forecast
In 2026, the Eta Aquariids will reach their maximum just five days after the Full Moon. The bright waning gibbous Moon will be above the horizon for most of the night — that means viewing conditions will be rather unfavorable, especially for fainter meteors. To improve your chances, try to position yourself so that the Moon is blocked by a tree or building.
How to See the Eta Aquariids in the Southern Hemisphere
The Eta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, where the shower’s radiant rises higher before dawn, and more meteors become visible. That makes Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and much of South America some of the best places to watch the shower. From here, up to 50 meteors per hour may be visible during the peak. However, the 83%-illuminated Moon will brighten the sky and reduce the number of visible meteors, so it is best to keep it hidden behind a tree, building, or another obstacle.
How to See the Eta Aquariids in the Northern Hemisphere (USA, Europe)
The Eta Aquariids can also be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, but are best seen from locations south of about 40° north latitude, where the radiant rises higher. This includes the southern United States, southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, northern India, and much of China. In North America, the shower is best observed in states such as California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and other southern parts of the USA, as well as parts of northern Mexico.
Northern Hemisphere observers should keep expectations modest: because the radiant remains low above the horizon, only about 10 meteors per hour may be visible at its peak. On top of that, the 83%-illuminated Moon will wash out the fainter meteors, making viewing conditions rather poor. The best chance to catch at least some meteors will be in the hours before dawn.
Where & When to Look for the Eta Aquariids in Your City
The radiant, located in the constellation Aquarius near the star Eta Aquarii, rises after midnight and reaches its highest point just before dawn, but the ideal observing window in your city will vary with your latitude, local sunrise time, and sky conditions.
To find the exact direction and best time for your location, use the Sky Tonight app. Search for “Eta Aquariids,” tap the target icon, and follow the arrow on your screen. Remember that you don’t have to look directly at the radiant to see meteors, but the higher the radiant is above the horizon, the more shooting stars you’re likely to see.
For more observing tips, explore our meteor shower infographic.
What causes the Eta Aquariids?
Meteor showers can be caused by either comets or asteroids. The Eta Aquariids originate from debris left by Halley’s Comet, the same comet that produces the Orionids in October. When Earth crosses the comet’s dust trail each May, tiny particles hit our atmosphere at around 65 km/s, burning up in bright streaks.
Halley’s Comet won’t return to our skies until 2061, but plenty of other comets will visit long before then. Curious which ones are coming next? Explore our guide to upcoming comets!
Eta Aquariids F.A.Q.
Where to see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower 2026?
The Eta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant in the constellation Aquarius climbs higher in the night sky. Still, observers from locations up to about 40° N latitude can try to catch a few meteors in the pre-dawn hours.
Is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower visible in Australia?
The Eta Aquariids are best seen in Australia and other Southern Hemisphere locations. Under ideal conditions, you may spot up to 50 meteors per hour during the peak around May 6. However, in 2026, the waning gibbous Moon will obscure the fainter meteors.
Is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower visible in the USA?
The Eta Aquariids can be seen from the southern United States, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. However, viewing conditions there will be far from ideal: at the peak around May 6, observers may see only up to 10 meteors per hour, and the bright waning gibbous Moon will further reduce visibility.
What is the peak date of the Eta Aquariids 2026?
The Eta Aquariids’ predicted peak date is May 6, 2026. However, this meteor shower has a broad maximum, with the mornings of May 4 to 7 offering a good chance to catch the meteors. For the best view, watch in the pre-dawn hours, when the radiant in Aquarius climbs highest above the horizon.
What is the best May meteor shower 2026?
The Eta Aquariids are the best meteor shower in May, bringing up to 50 meteors per hour during the peak around May 6. They’re best seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2026: Key Facts
The Eta Aquariids will peak around May 6, 2026, potentially producing up to 50 meteors per hour in the pre-dawn hours. Those in the Southern Hemisphere will have the best view, while observers in the Northern Hemisphere may see up to 10 meteors per hour from locations up to about 40° N latitude. In both hemispheres, the bright waning gibbous Moon will interfere with observations, so it is best to keep it hidden behind a tree, building, or another obstacle whenever possible.
Use Sky Tonight to set a reminder so you don’t miss the Eta Aquariids’ peak. If you want to test your meteor-watching skills, take our short quiz about shooting stars.
