About Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peak
The Eta Aquariids peak around May 5–6, and they carry celebrity pedigree: every meteor is a fragment of Halley's Comet, shed over centuries and crossed by Earth each May. The countdown above targets the next peak.
This is the southern hemisphere's best shower — up to 50 meteors per hour from Australia or Brazil — while northern observers catch 10–30 swift "earthgrazers" skimming the horizon in the hour before dawn. The meteors are among the fastest of any shower at 66 km/s, leaving long glowing trains. Halley itself returns in 2061; until then, this is its annual postcard.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Thursday, May 6, 2027next |
| 2028 | Saturday, May 6, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, May 6, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, May 6, 2030 |
| 2031 | Tuesday, May 6, 2031 |
FAQ
When do the Eta Aquariids peak?
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peak is on Thursday, May 6, 2027. That is 207 days from today. Around May 5–6 every year, with good rates for several mornings around the peak.
Are they really from Halley's Comet?
Yes — both the Eta Aquariids (May) and Orionids (October) are debris from Halley's orbit burning up in our atmosphere.
What is the best time to watch?
The pre-dawn hours, when the radiant in Aquarius rises — southern-hemisphere skies get the strongest show.