# Eta Aquariids meteor shower 2026 and 2027 > When the Eta Aquariids peak in 2026 and 2027, how much moonlight there will be, and the best time to watch from the UK. Calculated, not copied. URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers/eta-aquariids Updated: 2026-10-30 The Eta Aquariids are active 19 April – 28 May each year, with a peak rate of about 50 meteors an hour under perfect dark skies. They come from Halley's Comet. In 2027 the peak falls on 6 May, with a dark sky with little moonlight. ## Eta Aquariids peak dates for the UK Peak times are worked out from the Sun's position along its path (the solar longitude the International Meteor Organization gives for the peak), so they are accurate to within a few hours. Real peaks can arrive early or late. 'Best time' is the hour when the radiant is highest while the sky is properly dark. | Year | Peak (UK time) | Moon at peak | Best time from London | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | Wed 6 May (around 01:12 BST) | Waning gibbous, 84% lit | 03:00 BST, radiant about 3° up | | 2027 | Thu 6 May (around 06:47 BST) | New moon, 0% lit | 03:00 BST, radiant about 3° up | ## What to expect The rate of about 50 an hour is the zenithal hourly rate, a figure for a perfectly dark sky with the radiant overhead. From a UK garden you will usually see a third to a half of that, fewer near towns or under moonlight. Eta Aquariids enter the atmosphere at about 66 km per second. The radiant rises only shortly before dawn, so UK observers see few meteors, mostly long 'earthgrazers' skimming in from the east in the last hour before twilight. ## History and origin One of two showers made by Halley's Comet (the other is the Orionids). The meteors are fast and often leave glowing trains. It is a fine shower from the southern hemisphere, but a hard one from Britain. The meteors are specks of dust shed by Halley's Comet. When Earth crosses that dust each year, the grains burn up about 80 to 100 km overhead. ## How to watch - Find somewhere away from streetlights, ideally with a wide view of the sky. Our [UK dark sky spots by county](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies) list designated places near you. - Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt, and keep your phone on a dim red screen. - Lie back on a reclining chair and look about two-thirds of the way up the sky, not straight at the radiant. - Dress for twice as cold as you expect, and bring a hot drink. - Check the [moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/moon-calendar) for the phase, and the weather forecast for cloud. ## Folklore and tradition Shooting stars have long been seen as signs. A common British wish custom is to make a wish before the meteor fades and keep it secret. Others saw them as souls passing, or as a sign of good luck for the year. We share these as folklore, part of why people have always loved a night under the stars. ## Questions **When do the Eta Aquariids peak in 2027?** Around 6 May 2027, near 06:47 BST UK time. Watch the nights either side too. **How many Eta Aquariids will I see?** The peak rate is about 50 an hour under perfect skies. From a typical UK site, expect a fraction of that, depending on darkness and moonlight. **Will the moon spoil the Eta Aquariids in 2027?** At the 2027 peak the moon is 0% lit (new moon), so expect a dark sky with little moonlight. **What causes the Eta Aquariids?** Dust from Halley's Comet, burning up as Earth passes through it. **Do I need a telescope to see the Eta Aquariids?** No. Meteors move too fast and across too much of the sky. Your eyes are the best instrument. ## Related - [All meteor showers](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers) - [Meteor shower calendar 2027](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/meteor-showers/2027) - [UK dark sky spots](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/dark-skies) - [Moon calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/moon-calendar) - [UK stargazing calendar](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/uk-stargazing-calendar-2026-27) --- Starseed UK describes spiritual uses as tradition and belief, never as health or medical claims. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40.