A meteor shower has started raining shooting stars across Metro Vancouver skies, and it will peak at the start of May.
The Eta Aquariids are a spring shower that is active from April 15 through May 27, affording plenty of opportunities to view them. But they aren't always visible during hours when residents of the Lower Mainland are awake.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre astronomer Rosanna Tilbrook tells V.I.A. the shower is only visible in the region during the wee hours of the morning.
"This is because the point in the sky from which the meteors originate from - the constellation of Aquarius - only rises above the horizon around 3 a.m.," she explains.
"Before this, it will be difficult to see any meteors."
The shower will peak overnight on May 4, meaning the ideal time to view the display will be dawn on May 5. Since the moon will be in its first quarter, some moonlight may minimally interfere with viewing.
Eta Aquariids: A 'mild shower' for Metro Vancouver
Sadly, the shower's position in Metro Vancouver skies doesn't provide optimal viewing.
"Because of the shower's low position on the horizon from our vantage point, the peak rate of meteors will only reach around 14 an hour, so it'll be quite a mild shower for Vancouverites," she says.
Provided the Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes clear skies, locals can still do a few things to ensure they see as many meteors as possible.
"As usual, viewing tips would be to find a nice dark location, away from city lights, with a wide view of the sky," Tilbrook notes. "It's also best if your eastern horizon isn't too obscured, as this is where the meteor shower will be originating from."
Stargazers can also visit the Vancouver Clear Sky Chart and check under its "seeing conditions before I head out to observe" section to find out how clear the display will be.
The Eta Aquariids are best viewed in the southern hemisphere and originated from the iconic Halley's comet, which orbits Earth roughly every 76 years.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal weather forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with Weatherhood.
