While viewers are catching the last look at the Lyrids meteor shower, the beginning of the Eta Aquarid spectacle coincides with the Lyrids tail end. The 2013 Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower peak is expected to occur on the night of May 5 with 40 to 85 meteors per hour visible in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will peak at the same time with a new moon therefore the dark night will provide a visible meteor display. Northern Hemisphere residents can still view the spectacle given that they are located close to the equator.

The upcoming meteor shower will begin to radiate a bright display in the early morning hours of May 5 at the Aquarius constellation with the star Eta Aquarii located in the southeast part of the sky. The particles seen as meteors originated from Comet 1P/Halley. As Earth passes through the particle stream, the bright and fast meteors become visible.

The higher the meteors become visible from the sky, more will be seen and it will reach its highest peak activity hours before dawn. The meteors are glowing due to the friction between the rapid-moving particles and the air where incandescent columns of glowing gas are formed.

Eta Aquarids will reach into Earth's upper atmosphere at 148,000 mph (238,000 km/h). The meteor shower will leave visible smoke trails because of the high velocity.

In viewing the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, binoculars or telescopes are not really required. A dark area that is at least 40 miles or 60 km away from the bright city lights is the best way to catch the rare space phenomenon together with lawn chairs, blankets, warm drinks and patience since the meteor viewing is a waiting activity.

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