Every year, meteor showers pass through the Earth's atmosphere, allowing us to admire shooting stars in great numbers several times a year. Throughout the month of May, and from April 19, 2024, the Êta Aquarides will be lighting up France, a stroke of luck given that the weather is often good at this temperate time of year, with the night sky ideally clear when rain and thunderstorms don't interfere with the show.
Peak activity takes place on the night of May 5-6, for a lovely time, especially after midnight, around 3am. The Êta Aquarides are less numerous than the Lyrides, so it will be possible to observe swarms of around fifty shooting stars with the naked eye. This time, the meteors come from the famous comet Halley and produce fairly persistent trails. This year, the Moon will be almost invisible at this time, making it easier to observe without its brightness.
The next big event will take place in August, with the best-known phenomenon, the Perseids, which offer us the most beautiful spectacle of all, with almost a hundred shooting stars per hour!
And don't forget to make a wish!
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