During the night of May 6 to 7, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower — a picturesque act of nature — will be visible in Almaty and several other regions of Kazakhstan. Although the peak activity occurred the previous night, the shower will still remain bright and visually striking, with up to 30 meteors lighting up the sky per hour.
The Eta Aquariids are associated with particles left behind by Halley’s Comet. Each year, as Earth passes through the trail of dust from the comet, these particles enter the atmosphere at high velocity (around 67 kilometers per second) and burn up, producing bright, fleeting flashes in the sky. Meteors from this shower are typically white and often leave luminous trails behind them.
The best time to observe the meteor shower is just before dawn, from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m., when the radiant point — the spot in the sky from which the meteors appear to emerge — rises above the southeastern horizon in the constellation Aquarius. Fortunately, the Moon will have already set, so its light won’t interfere. A clear and warm night is expected, with temperatures around +15°C, no rain and a mild wind.
For the best viewing experience, it’s better to observe the meteors away from city lights. It will take 15 to 30 minutes for the eyes to adjust to the darkness, so avoid looking at a phone screen. Telescopes and binoculars are not necessary, as the meteors will be visible to the naked eye.
For those in Almaty longing to make a wish on a shooting star, this night is the perfect time.
