The annual Eta Aquariid meteor bathe is presently in impact and is anticipated to be in finest view over the weekend, whereas a penumbral lunar eclipse will likely be seen within the early hours of Saturday morning.
This is what you should know to get a glimpse of the 2 phenomena.
The way to see the Eta Aquariid meteor bathe in Australia
The Eta Aquariid meteor bathe is an annual incidence that takes place when the Earth passes via mud trails left behind by Halley's comet.
The bathe is definitely already in impact – in 2023 it's anticipated to final from April 15 to Might 27, in response to NASA – nevertheless it's anticipated to peak between Might 4 and seven – NASA says the night time of Might 4-5.
The precise quantity of meteors that will likely be seen throughout this yr's peak is uncertain, nevertheless it's estimated to be someplace between 10 and 30 per hour.
In excellent news for Australians, the bathe is seen extra clearly from the Southern Hemisphere than within the north.
However to get a view, you will must be up and about within the early hours of the morning because it's solely seen earlier than daybreak.
"To view the Eta Aquarids discover an space nicely away from metropolis lights or avenue lights," NASA says.
"Come ready with a sleeping bag, blanket, or garden chair. Lie flat in your again together with your toes going through east and lookup, taking in as a lot of the sky as attainable.
"After about half-hour at the hours of darkness, your eyes will adapt and you'll start to see meteors. Be affected person – the present will final till daybreak, so you will have loads of time to catch a glimpse."
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The way to see the penumbral lunar eclipse in Australia
Within the early hours of Saturday, Might 6, there will likely be a penumbral lunar eclipse. These eclipses are barely totally different from complete or partial lunar eclipses, which happen when the moon is obscured by the umbra – the darkish, central a part of the Earth's shadow.
As an alternative, the penumbral eclipse occurs when the moon comes beneath the Earth's outer shadow, which is not as deep because the umbra.
Saturday's eclipse will likely be seen in Australia and plenty of different components of the world, together with Asia, Africa and far of Europe. It will not have the ability to be seen from both North or South America, although.
The eclipse will final for about 4 and a half hours: it'll begin at 1:14am (AEST) earlier than reaching its most at 3:22am. It's anticipated to complete at 5:31am.
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