The Eta Aquariid meteor shower will reach its peak between the night of May 5 and the early hours of May 6, offering one of the year’s most visible sky events over southern regions, including Cuenca.
The shower is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet and is known for fast, bright meteors that can leave glowing trails across the sky. Under ideal conditions, observers may see up to 40 to 50 meteors per hour.
For Cuenca, the best viewing window is in the hours before dawn:
- From around 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Looking toward the eastern sky as the radiant rises
Clear skies and low light conditions will improve visibility, although a waning gibbous moon may make fainter meteors harder to see this year.
For better viewing:
- Choose a location away from city lights
- Watch with the naked eye rather than using telescopes
- Allow 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness
- Focus on a wide section of the sky rather than a single point
Even with some moonlight, the meteor shower is expected to remain visible, especially during the early morning hours near its peak.