Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2025: Best Times to Watch in Ontario and Canada
If you’re in Toronto or anywhere in Canada, this is your chance to witness a celestial light show tied to one of the most iconic comets in history—Halley’s Comet. The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which peaks this May 6, will offer early risers a view of fast, bright meteors streaking across the eastern sky.
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And yes, it’s all thanks to debris left behind by Halley’s comet—even though the comet itself won’t return until 2061.
When and Where to Watch in Ontario
The best time to view the Eta Aquarids in Ontario is from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 6, when the meteor shower hits its peak. If the skies are clear, you might catch up to 20 meteors per hour in darker areas outside the city.
This year, the moon will set just before the radiant (the origin point of the meteors) rises, giving us a better window with darker skies. Look low in the eastern sky, especially near the constellation Aquarius, for the best chance to spot them.
Best Viewing Tips for the Eta Aquarids
To make the most of your meteor-hunting session:
- Get away from city lights. Try areas like Forks of the Credit, Sandbanks, or Point Pelee National Park if you’re road-tripping.
- Bring a blanket or chair. Give yourself at least 20 minutes in the dark so your eyes adjust.
- Don’t look at your phone. Keep screens off to protect your night vision.
- Watch the eastern horizon. Meteors will appear to shoot from the same direction the sun eventually rises.
If you’re lucky, you may catch rare “earthgrazers”—long, slow meteors that skim the atmosphere and can leave glowing persistent trails behind.
What Makes the Eta Aquarids Special?
- They originate from Halley’s Comet—yes, the same one you probably learned about in school.
- The meteors hit the atmosphere at 240,000 km/h, making for fast and bright streaks.
- Sometimes, the brighter ones leave behind persistent trains—glowing trails that float for minutes or even hours.
Can’t Make It? Here’s What’s Next
If you miss the peak, the Eta Aquarids will still be visible (just less intense) through May 28. After that, watch for the Delta Aquarids in late July and the Orionids—another Halley’s Comet shower—in October.
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Viewing Events in Canada
Want to watch with others? Keep an eye on events hosted by:
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) – Local chapters sometimes host star parties.
- Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University – Often shares livestreams or telescope views during celestial events.
- Ontario Science Centre – May feature viewing updates or family-friendly meteor education.
Will you be staying up to catch a glimpse of Halley’s legacy? Let us know your go-to stargazing spot in Ontario.
More…
- https://ca.news.yahoo.com/look-first-two-halleys-comet-110004140.html
- https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/a-meteor-shower-will-peak-over-toronto-skies-early-tuesday-heres-what-you-need-to/article_047c091b-dd09-49ee-ac97-ba3faa032abd.html
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/canada/eta-aquarid-meteor-shower-2025-how-and-when-canadians-can-watch-halleys-comet-debris-light-up-the-sky/articleshow/120900636.cms?from=mdr
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