Forecast looks good for Eta Aquarids meteor shower peak in Kamloops, Okanagan

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower has been building since the middle of April and will reach its peak in mostly clear skies with very little interference by the moonlight in Kamloops and the Okanagan.

The peak of the meteor shower takes place on Monday night, May 5 when viewers could see up to 30 meteors streak across the sky every hour.

Eta Aquarids are known for their high speeds of 66 kilometres per second, and appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius whose brightest star is called Eta Aquarii, according to NASA.

The meteors are seen as Earth passes through a debris trail of ice and dust left by the comet Halley that burns up as it collides with Earth’s atmosphere.

The meteor shower will be visible until the end of May, and the best way to view them is find a viewing spot away from light pollution and give your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

Skies over Kamloops are forecast to be clear on the peak night, May 5, while the Okanagan is expecting periods of cloud.

The next major meteor shower, the Southern Delta Aquarids, peaks in late July.

If you get photos of Eta Aquarids meteors, send them news@infonews.ca.