Kiwis will have front row seats for a meteor shower that an astronomer said “could be the best for this year.”
The meteor shower, known as the Eta Aquariids, is visible from April 19 to May 28 each year. Activity peaks on and around May 5.
Stardome astronomer Rob Davison told 1News the best time to watch would be early in the morning before 7am this week.
“It is estimated it could be between 60-100 meteors per hour, which would be one or two a minute.”
On Monday, a waning crescent moon will prevent extra light obscuring the meteors, he added.
“This could be the best meteor shower for the Southern Hemisphere this year.”
He said the celestial event would be visible from all over the country, but advised the best places to be were away from light pollution.
“If you are right in the middle of Auckland for example, it’s going to be very difficult to see.”
The meteor shower is named after the constellation Aquarius as meteors appear to originate from one of its brightest stars.
It consists of debris left behind by the famous Halley’s Comet on one of its previous orbits around the Sun, with Earth passing through the field.
Halley’s Comet passes Earth every 75-76 years, last appearing in 1986 and next appearing in 2061.
Davison advised spectators of this week’s meteor shower to wrap up warm and take their time.
“You’ll want to be outside for at least half an hour to let your eyes adjust to the darkness and give you a better chance of seeing it.”