SINGAPORE: Wish on a shooting star this May, with the Eta Aquarids meteor shower set to brighten up the start of the month.
The "above average" shower will also coincide with dark skies thanks to the nearly new moon during this period, the Singapore Science Centre Observatory (SCOB) said on Tuesday (Apr 23).
This means a better chance of viewing the celestial event which is set to peak around May 5 to May 6.
Fanfare for the Lyrids meteor shower, which peaked over Singapore on Apr 22, was muted due to poor visibility conditions.
However, the Eta Aquarids are set to be a bigger and brighter affair.
It presents skygazers the opportunity to catch around 60 meteors per hour at its peak, said SCOB in response to CNA queries, adding that most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour.
Eta Aquarid meteors - also known for their speed - can leave glowing "trains", according to NASA.
These are produced by dust particles left behind by Halley's Comet, which has been observed since ancient times, the observatory said.
SCOB said the best viewing point for the Eta Aquarids will be from a dark location after midnight.
"Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius but can appear anywhere in the sky."
When observing meteor showers in general, the observatory said unfavourable weather conditions and cloud cover can be a hindrance.
However, it added that dedicated skywatchers can increase their chances by identifying a clear, unobstructed spot with minimal light pollution such as nature parks, beaches, and reservoirs.
"As with each season of meteor shower, we recommend stargazers to check out the position of the constellations and stargaze later into the night," SCOB advised previously.
"Avoid gazing directly at the radiant constellations and instead look at dark areas around it to spot the meteor streaks. Do also take relevant safety precautions when you’re out stargazing in the dark."
In this photo taken with long shutter speed, the moon Rises as a Perseid meteor sparks, while entering the earth's atmosphere as a man sleeps in Tripiti Beach Gavdos island, the southernmost point of Greece and Europe, early Sunday, Aug 13, 2023. (Photo: AP/Petros Giannakouris)
In the later part of the year, stargazers can look forward to the Perseids and Geminids.
The Perseids - known for being one of the brighter annual meteor showers - will peak over Singapore between Aug 12 and Aug 13, said SCOB.
The Perseids gets its name as it comes from the same direction as the constellation Perseus.
Named after the Greek mythological hero, it is the 24th largest constellation in the night sky, said the observatory previously. The Perseids are caused when Earth passes through a trail of space debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
Viewers can determine the direction of the shower by looking for the Perseus constellation.
The Geminids meteor shower is expected to peak on the night between Dec 13 and Dec 14.
For those who cannot afford late nights out, catch the four back-to-back supermoons - beginning in August.
While there is no official definition for the supermoon, these four full moons in August, September, October and November occur when the moon is relatively nearer to the Earth, causing it to appear brighter and more prominent, said the observatory.
The one in October will be the closest to Earth while the full moon in August - known as the Sturgeon Moon - will also be a Blue Moon as it happens to be the third full moon of the season, said SCOB.
Note that the moon’s appearance can vary depending on atmospheric conditions and viewing location.
These moons will be visible as long as there are unobstructed views, clear skies and minimal light pollution. However, take location and timing into consideration if you want the most ideal conditions.
"Generally, it is a good time to enjoy a supermoon close to moonrise or moonset, when the moon is close to terrestrial objects, trees or buildings that we are familiar with. The large apparent size of the supermoon will be more obvious when we have something to compare its size with."
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The "above average" shower will also coincide with dark skies thanks to the nearly new moon during this period, the Singapore Science Centre Observatory (SCOB) said on Tuesday (Apr 23).
This means a better chance of viewing the celestial event which is set to peak around May 5 to May 6.
Fanfare for the Lyrids meteor shower, which peaked over Singapore on Apr 22, was muted due to poor visibility conditions.
However, the Eta Aquarids are set to be a bigger and brighter affair.
It presents skygazers the opportunity to catch around 60 meteors per hour at its peak, said SCOB in response to CNA queries, adding that most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour.
Eta Aquarid meteors - also known for their speed - can leave glowing "trains", according to NASA.
These are produced by dust particles left behind by Halley's Comet, which has been observed since ancient times, the observatory said.
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WHERE AND HOW TO VIEW?
SCOB said the best viewing point for the Eta Aquarids will be from a dark location after midnight.
"Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius but can appear anywhere in the sky."
When observing meteor showers in general, the observatory said unfavourable weather conditions and cloud cover can be a hindrance.
However, it added that dedicated skywatchers can increase their chances by identifying a clear, unobstructed spot with minimal light pollution such as nature parks, beaches, and reservoirs.
"As with each season of meteor shower, we recommend stargazers to check out the position of the constellations and stargaze later into the night," SCOB advised previously.
"Avoid gazing directly at the radiant constellations and instead look at dark areas around it to spot the meteor streaks. Do also take relevant safety precautions when you’re out stargazing in the dark."
In this photo taken with long shutter speed, the moon Rises as a Perseid meteor sparks, while entering the earth's atmosphere as a man sleeps in Tripiti Beach Gavdos island, the southernmost point of Greece and Europe, early Sunday, Aug 13, 2023. (Photo: AP/Petros Giannakouris)
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In the later part of the year, stargazers can look forward to the Perseids and Geminids.
The Perseids - known for being one of the brighter annual meteor showers - will peak over Singapore between Aug 12 and Aug 13, said SCOB.
The Perseids gets its name as it comes from the same direction as the constellation Perseus.
Named after the Greek mythological hero, it is the 24th largest constellation in the night sky, said the observatory previously. The Perseids are caused when Earth passes through a trail of space debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
Viewers can determine the direction of the shower by looking for the Perseus constellation.
The Geminids meteor shower is expected to peak on the night between Dec 13 and Dec 14.
For those who cannot afford late nights out, catch the four back-to-back supermoons - beginning in August.
While there is no official definition for the supermoon, these four full moons in August, September, October and November occur when the moon is relatively nearer to the Earth, causing it to appear brighter and more prominent, said the observatory.
The one in October will be the closest to Earth while the full moon in August - known as the Sturgeon Moon - will also be a Blue Moon as it happens to be the third full moon of the season, said SCOB.
Note that the moon’s appearance can vary depending on atmospheric conditions and viewing location.
These moons will be visible as long as there are unobstructed views, clear skies and minimal light pollution. However, take location and timing into consideration if you want the most ideal conditions.
"Generally, it is a good time to enjoy a supermoon close to moonrise or moonset, when the moon is close to terrestrial objects, trees or buildings that we are familiar with. The large apparent size of the supermoon will be more obvious when we have something to compare its size with."
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