Each spring as Earth passes through the debris trail from Halley's Comet (1P/Halley), the cosmic bits -- moving at 148,000 mph -- burn up in our atmosphere to create the annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower. This year's peak occurs on the night of May 5-6, with meteor rates of about 30/hour in the northern hemisphere and about 60/hour in the southern hemisphere. The first-quarter moon sets just after midnight, helping to darken the skies. Peak viewing for the shower will be from 2:30 a.m. until dawn, your local time.



(с) NASA