Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The Eta Aquariids meteor showers, active from April 16, will peak on May 5 and 6.
This annual event, caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, peaks on May 5 and 6. It’s known for its rapid speed, producing long, glowing tails. Best observed from the Southern Hemisphere, around 30 to 40 meteors can be seen per hour during peak times.
What is a meteor shower?
A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through clouds of debris left behind by a comet or asteroid. As these tiny particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up, creating streaks of light in the sky known as meteors or “shooting stars.” These showers are named after the constellation from which they appear to originate and can produce dozens or even hundreds of meteors per hour during their peak.
About Halley’s Comet:
It is a famous periodic comet that orbits the Sun roughly every 76 years. Named after astronomer Edmond Halley, who predicted its return, it is composed of dust, rock, and ice. The comet last appeared in the inner solar system in 1986 and is expected to return in 2061. It is known for producing two meteor showers, the Eta Aquariids and the Orionids, as Earth passes through its debris trails.
