Meteor Shower in Gwinnett Sky Tonight

If you gaze up at the cosmos on Saturday morning in the wee hours—or Friday very late, depending on how you look at it--you may see a meteor shoot through the sky.

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will take place take place between 3:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, according to Daniel Herron of the Atlanta Astronomy Club. Each year two showers occur when dust particles from Halley’s Comet pass by the earth. “It takes a bit of commitment to be up at that time, for sure,” said Herron, but for him it is worth the theatrics.

He said that the Meteorological Survey estimates that 10 to 12 meteors will be visible per hour, which will give a good chance for seeing a show. The meteors will appear near the constellation Aquarius.

The darkest sky is always the best, says Herron, so the early morning prediction for the shower should be good news for viewers. 

Herron, who organizes observations for the Astronomy Club, said that it is actually best to check out the meteor showers with the naked eye, since looking through a telescope constricts the area of the sky you can see a meteor pass through.

It is also better to sit back in a chair and watch with a group so you can have lots of eyes scanning the wide sky for any meteors.

The Gwinnett Parks Department has put together a viewing event at Little Mulberry Park a place they say is one of the highest points in Gwinnett County.  After the shower, breakfast will be provided by Atlanta Bread Company. The event costs $5 per person. Participants are asked to register prior to the event by calling 770.614.2060 or visiting www.gwinnettparks.com calendar of events.

Laura Sullivan is local editor for Norcross Patch