A meteor shower and 2020’s last Super Moon this week
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It will be a busy week for stargazers this week, as a meteor shower will peak Monday night, and the final Super Moon of the year will show up Thursday.
Monday night through Tuesday morning, the Eta Aquariids will peak. The meteor shower has been going on since mid April and comes from the comet 1P/Halley.
In a completely dark sky, the meteor shower can produce up to 20-40 meteors per hour, especially in southern latitudes.
This year, our sky will be competing with a nearly full moon, which will add to more light pollution and more difficulty seeing as many meteors.
Of course, this will be all depending on our sky conditions as well. Check the latest forecast here. Viewing will be best in the hours before dawn Tuesday morning. Look to the southeastern sky near the constellation Aquarius.
Last Super Moon of 2020
It’s only May, but this month will see the last Super Moon of the year. The moon will be in its full stage, as well as in Perigee (closest to Earth) in the morning hours of Thursday. You will be able to witness this Super Moon both Thursday morning and evening. It should appear slightly bigger and brighter than normal. The May Super Moon is referred to as the “Super Flower Moon,” in reference to spring’s blooming flowers.
The next Super Moon will occur in April 2021.