The Eta Aquariids are a May shower produced by material associated with Halley's Comet. Their radiant is in Aquarius, and the available time before morning twilight is an important part of planning.
Use the predawn interval
The shower is generally better placed from southern tropical latitudes than from far-northern places. Check the radiant's local height and the start of twilight before setting an alarm. A long forecast night can still leave only a short useful shower window.
Pick an open area where you can watch widely without staring into direct lamps. Use your eyes, a comfortable seat and a dim light for any notes. The radiant identifies the apparent source of shower paths; it is not a small patch where every meteor appears.
Compare the selected year's peak date with the Moon and cloud forecast. Record when you actually watched and how much of the sky was blocked. Do not treat a published ideal rate as the number you should see from a bright site or a low radiant.
Year-specific planning dates
Sources and review
Reviewed October 22, 2026 by PiSpace Sky editorial. Date-sensitive details can change.