Eta Aquariids 2027: Peak Time & Where to See May’s Best Meteor Shower
The Eta Aquariids — May’s best meteor shower — will peak around 09:00 GMT on May 6, 2027. Australia and other Southern Hemisphere locations will get the best view, while observers south of about 40°N may also catch fast meteors shortly before dawn. With no moonlight interfering during the maximum period, 2027 offers favorable viewing conditions. Below, you’ll find the visibility forecast and observing 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 2027: Quick Facts
- Eta Aquariids 2027: Peak Date & Best Time to Watch
- How to Watch the Eta Aquariids in 2027?
- What Causes the Eta Aquariids?
- Eta Aquariids F.A.Q.
- Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2027: Key Facts
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2027: Quick Facts
- Active: April 19 – May 28
- Predicted peak date and time: May 6, around 09:00 GMT
- Best time to watch: pre-dawn hours from around May 3 to 10
- Meteors/hour: around 50, variable from about 40 to 80+
- Moon phase: New Moon
- 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 around 50 meteors per hour.
Eta Aquariids 2027: Peak Date & Best Time to Watch
In 2027, the Eta Aquariids are predicted to peak around 09:00 GMT on May 6. However, the best time to watch the shower is pre-dawn hours. The radiant appears after midnight and continues climbing until around 8 a.m. local time, so the final hours of darkness usually offer the best chance of seeing more meteors.
The ideal observing time will vary depending on your latitude, local sunrise time, and weather conditions. In general, start watching one to three hours before sunrise, while the sky is still fully dark.
The Eta Aquariids have a broad period of strong activity, so you don’t have to rely on a single night. In 2027, the best viewing window lasts approximately from May 3 to 10.
The observing windows below are calculated approximately from the moment the radiant rises sufficiently high until the onset of astronomical twilight. For cities at around 40° N, the window is short.
| City | Peak Time | Best observing window |
|---|---|---|
| New York, US | May 6, 5:00 AM EDT | May 6, 3:30–4:00 AM |
| Miami, US | May 6, 5:00 AM EDT | May 6, 3:30–5:30 AM |
| Los Angeles, US | May 6, 2:00 AM PDT | May 6, 3:30–4:30 AM |
| Mexico City, Mexico | May 6, 3:00 AM CST | May 6, 3:00–5:00 AM |
| Madrid, Spain | May 6, 11:00 CEST | May 6, 5:00–5:30 |
| Rome, Italy | May 6, 11:00 CEST | May 6, 4:00–4:30 |
| Athens, Greece | May 6, 12:00 EEST | May 6, 4:00–4:30 |
| Cairo, Egypt | May 6, 12:00 EEST | May 6, 3:30–4:30 |
| Johannesburg, South Africa | May 6, 11:00 SAST | May 6, 2:30–5:30 |
| Dubai, UAE | May 6, 13:00 GST | May 6, 2:30–4:30 |
| New Delhi, India | May 6, 14:30 IST | May 6, 3:00–4:00 |
| Beijing, China | May 6, 17:00 CST | May 7, 3:00–3:30 |
| Tokyo, Japan | May 6, 18:00 JST | May 7, 2:00–3:00 |
| Singapore | May 6, 17:00 SGT | May 7, 3:30–5:30 |
| Sydney, Australia | May 6, 19:00 AEST | May 7, 2:30–5:00 |
| Auckland, New Zealand | May 6, 21:00 NZST | May 7, 2:30–5:30 |
| São Paulo, Brazil | May 6, 6:00 BRT | May 6, 2:30–5:00 |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | May 6, 6:00 ART | May 6, 3:30–6:00 |
| Santiago, Chile | May 6, 5:00 CLT | May 6, 3:00–6:00 |
How to Watch the Eta Aquariids in 2027?
Eta Aquariids 2027 Visibility Forecast
In 2027, the viewing conditions for the Eta Aquariids will be favorable. The New Moon won’t interfere with observations during the peak of the meteor shower, and the nights around the predicted maximum will also be dark enough for meteor watching. Choose a clear night between May 3 and 10, find a location with an open horizon away from city lights, and enjoy the shooting stars!
How to See the Eta Aquariids in the Southern Hemisphere
The Eta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, especially from the southern tropics and low to mid-southern latitudes, where the radiant in Aquarius rises high before dawn. That makes Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and much of South America some of the best places to watch the shower.
Under ideal dark-sky conditions, observers in the Southern Hemisphere may see up to 50 meteors per hour at the peak of the shower, though activity may occasionally vary above or below this level. The New Moon will not interfere with observations, making 2027 one of the best upcoming years to view the Eta Aquariids.
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. The best Northern Hemisphere locations include Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle East, southern and central Asia, southern China, and Mediterranean Europe. In the continental United States, the most favorable areas are Florida, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California; in Europe, the meteor shower is better visible in places such as southern Spain, southern Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta.
Even from these locations, the radiant remains lower than it does in the Southern Hemisphere, so observers should expect fewer meteors. Farther north, the observing window shortens and the radiant remains close to the horizon. However, skywatchers may still catch a few Eta Aquariids shortly before dawn. In 2027, the New Moon will provide dark skies, improving the chances of seeing fainter meteors.
Where & When to Look for the Eta Aquariids in Your City
The radiant of the Eta Aquariids is located in the constellation Aquarius near the star Eta Aquarii. To find the exact direction 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 2027?
The Eta Aquariids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, where their radiant in Aquarius rises much higher before dawn. In the Northern Hemisphere, the best views are generally from locations south of about 40°N. Farther north, the radiant stays close to the horizon, though observers may still catch a few meteors — including long, low-flying Earthgrazers — shortly before sunrise.
Is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower visible in Australia?
Australia is one of the best places to see the Eta Aquariids because the radiant rises high before dawn. In 2027, the shower peaks around 09:00 GMT on May 6, and moonlight will not interfere with observations. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, rates may reach around 50 meteors per hour.
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. Watch shortly before dawn, when the radiant rises highest in the sky. In 2027, the shower peaks around 09:00 GMT on May 6. The meteor shower rates will be lower than in the Southern Hemisphere, but the viewing conditions are still good, as the meteor shower’s peak occurs during the New Moon.
What is the peak date of the Eta Aquariids 2027?
The Eta Aquariids’ predicted peak date is May 6, 2027. However, this meteor shower has a broad maximum, with the mornings of May 3 to 10 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 2027?
The Eta Aquariids are the best meteor shower in May, bringing around 50 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, and best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. In 2027, they peak around May 6 during the New Moon.
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower 2027: Key Facts
The Eta Aquariids will peak around 09:00 GMT on May 6, 2027, with elevated activity lasting from roughly May 3 to 10. The shower can produce around 50 meteors per hour under ideal conditions and is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, although observers south of about 40°N can also try to catch it before dawn. With no moonlight interfering during the maximum period, 2027 offers favorable conditions for watching this fast and active meteor shower.
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.
