The Eta Aquarid meteor shower happens between April 21 and May 20, 2015, with peak activity Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 and 6.
When Earth passes through an old stream of debris from Halley’s Comet, the result is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower. Earth passes through a second stream of Halley’s Comet debris in late October, resulting in the Orionid meteor shower.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is most vivid for observers in the southern hemisphere, where 30 to 60 meteors are typically visible every hour.
“Northern stargazers can see perhaps half that many near peak, but it’s still an impressive event,” said information from the Slooh Community Observatory. “(M)any meteors are still visible a few days on either side of the peak of this usually reliable shower.”
The hours just before twilight are the best time to see the Eta Aquarids. There was no specific direction to look, as the meteors could be visible in any direction.
If it’s too cloudy where you are, Slooh planned to live stream the event starting at 7 p.m. Central time Tuesday, May 5. To see their live stream, click here.