Eta Aquariids 2025: When and Where to See the Meteor Shower in the UK and Europe

The Eta Aquariids meteor shower, caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, is set to peak before dawn on 5 May 2025. While the Southern Hemisphere usually sees the highest activity, the UK and mainland Europe can still expect a decent showing, especially from darker, rural locations. Under the right conditions, around 10 to 30 meteors per hour may be visible.

What Is the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower?

The Eta Aquariids are caused by Earth passing through debris left by Halley’s Comet. As those tiny particles burn up in the atmosphere, they create the quick, bright streaks we see from the ground.

Halley’s Comet only returns every 76 years; it won’t be visible again until 2061, but it crosses Earth’s orbit twice each year, also producing the Orionids in October.

When to Watch the Eta Aquariids in 2025

The timing this year is particularly favourable. With the first quarter moon setting well before the shower’s radiant rises, the sky will be darker during the key hours, giving observers a better chance of spotting the more dramatic streaks.

When is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower visible in the UK?

The meteor shower runs from 19 April through to 28 May, offering a broad viewing window. Although the activity drops off outside the peak, a few stray meteors may still be visible on either side of the main event, particularly in the days just before or after 5 May.

The Eta Aquariids aren’t the best for sheer numbers in UK skies, but when the conditions line up, they offer a consistently good display. Fast, bright meteors and minimal moonlight this year make it a worthwhile early start. All you need is a dark spot, a bit of patience, and a clear view overhead.

What time do the Eta Aquariids peak in the UK?

For UK viewers, the best time to observe is between 2:00 am and the start of dawn on 5 May, when the radiant has climbed high enough for a clear view. The further south you are, the better positioned you’ll be, but even at higher latitudes, a decent display is still possible.

Where to Look in the Sky

Start watching from around 2 am. That’s when the radiant point (the patch of sky where the meteors appear to originate) begins to climb into view. It sits in the constellation Aquarius, close to the star Eta Aquarii.

For reference, Aquarius is located at a right ascension of roughly 22 hours 17 minutes and a declination of about −10 degrees 47 minutes.

The constellation is visible between latitudes +65° and −90°, which makes it low but not out of reach from the UK.

The higher your viewing spot with an open view to the southeast, the better.

You don’t need to stare at the radiant, though. Some of the best meteors often appear in other parts of the sky, leaving longer trails as they break away from the central point.

Are conditions good for viewing the Eta Aquariids in 2025?

This year, the timing is favourable. The first quarter moon will set before the radiant rises, leaving the sky darker during the best viewing window. That makes it easier to spot even the fainter meteors, particularly from areas with minimal light pollution.

The radiant sits in the constellation Aquarius, near the star Eta Aquarii. For reference, Aquarius is located at a right ascension of roughly 22 hours 17 minutes and a declination of about −10 degrees 47 minutes. It’s visible between latitudes +65° and −90°, which places it low in the southeast for UK observers. The higher and clearer your horizon in that direction, the better.

You don’t need to look directly at Aquarius. In fact, meteors that appear away from the radiant often leave longer, more dramatic trails. A wide field of view and dark surroundings will serve you best.

These meteors are fast travelling at roughly 66 kilometres per second so you’ll want to give your eyes time to adjust. Binoculars and telescopes won’t help here. Just lie back, watch the sky, and be patient. Keep phones off, and switch torches to red light mode if needed.

How to Watch the Eta Aquariids in 2025?

These meteors are quick, roughly 66 kilometres per second, so you’ll want to give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Binoculars and telescopes won’t help here. You’re better off lying back, watching the wide sky, and being patient. Phones off. Torch on red mode if you must.

This isn’t the flashiest shower on the calendar for UK observers, but it’s reliable, fast-moving, and better than average when the conditions align. If the clouds stay away and you’re up early enough, it’s worth stepping outside for. You don’t need much just time, a dark sky, and a bit of luck.