Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2013: When is the Peak and Where to Watch

Originally reported by Todd Richissin.

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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower 2013 peak, fresh on the heels of the Lyrids, was expected to peak early morning on May 5, but the show over Cedar Falls is not over.

The Eta Aquarid shower continues until May 12, according to meteorshowersonline.com

The weather forecast for the Cedar Falls area calls for the skies to clear up Monday, but rain is expected to return on Tuesday and Wednesday. This is a bit south, but here's a clear sky chart from Palisades-Dow Observatory.

Try to find a dark place and time your viewing in the 4- to 5-hour period before dawn.

Eta Aquarids get their name from Aquarius, the constellation you'll look toward to catch what have come to be known as "shooting stars" -- which aren't shooting stars at all. What you will actually see are flakes of dust from Halley's Comet. 

In May and October, Earth passes through the stream of dust in Halley's wake, giving us first the Eta Aquarid meteor shower and then the Orionids.

You can see what to look for in this video of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. And you can view photos and charts of the Aquarids.