How To Catch The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower & Wish Upon A Shooting Star

If you're into astronomy, astrology, or just shiny optics, you'll want to make sure you catch the peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 5-6, 2023. The cosmic event, which will actually take place throughout most of the month of May, will reach full force at that time. During this two-day period, the night sky will offer a dazzling display of up to 30 meteors per hour.

Halley's comet, last visible from earth back in 1986, can be thanked for the upcoming light show known as the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. The debris left behind from the comet in space will pass through our atmosphere as the earth travels across its trail. Each piece of this debris, made up of space rocks, gasses, and ice, will burn up as it enters the atmosphere and then shoot across the sky from the constellation of Aquarius. If you're wondering how you can watch the shower and what it all means, we've got your answers. 

The first thing to consider when planning to watch a meteor shower is the level of light pollution in your area. If you live in a well-lit city, you may need to pack up a picnic blanket to lay on and travel outside of town in order to be able to really see the meteors light up the night sky. It's also just as important to remove light pollution from your eyes. Try to arrive at your viewing destination with about 30 minutes to spare.

During this time, listen to music or a podcast, or chat with your viewing companions without looking at your phone screen. Throughout the day, your eyes become desensitized to light from indoor lighting and the blue light emitted by cell phones, computers, and other devices. Taking a break from this excess light can help your eyes become more sensitive and aware of the type of light changes you'll be watching the sky for. Once your eyes have adjusted, they're all you'll need to see the shower.

A meteor shower is caused by the debris from a comet being burned up as it passes through the earth's atmosphere. This means that in order for a meteor shower to occur, a comet must first be broken apart. The process of an icy, rocky comet breaking apart and leaving behind debris to be brightly burned for all to see can be representative of allowing your most hidden truths to come to the surface, only so that you can burn them down in a display of commitment to change.

Since the Eta Aquarid meteor shower takes place in the zodiac sign of Aquarius, view your moment of revelation and change through a lens of communication, connection, and community. It may be time to make big changes in the way you express yourself to others in your work, home, or romantic life. Enjoy the show, but don't forget to reflect while you're counting your shooting stars.