Here’s what you need to know to get a glimpse of the two phenomena.
How to see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower in Australia
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is an annual occurrence that takes place when the Earth passes through dust trails left behind by Halley’s comet.
The shower is actually already in effect – in 2023 it is expected to last from April 15 to May 27, according to NASA – but it’s expected to peak between May 4 and 7 – NASA says the night of May 4-5.
The exact amount of meteors that will be visible during this year’s peak is uncertain, but it’s estimated to be somewhere between 10 and 30 per hour.
In good news for Australians, the shower is seen more clearly from the Southern Hemisphere than in the north.
But to get a view, you’ll need to be up and about in the early hours of the morning as it’s only visible before dawn.
“To view the Eta Aquarids find an area well away from city lights or street lights,” NASA says.
“Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
“After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”
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How to see the penumbral lunar eclipse in Australia
In the early hours of Saturday, May 6, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse. These eclipses are slightly different from total or partial lunar eclipses, which occur when the moon is obscured by the umbra – the dark, central part of the Earth’s shadow.
Instead, the penumbral eclipse happens when the moon comes under the Earth’s outer shadow, which isn’t as deep as the umbra.
Saturday’s eclipse will be visible in Australia and many other parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and much of Europe. It won’t be able to be seen from either North or South America, though.
The eclipse will last for about four and a half hours: it will start at 1:14am (AEST) before reaching its maximum at 3:22am. It is expected to finish at 5:31am.
