For my world wide followers here's a heads up for the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower which takes place the night of May 5-6. The best viewing will be in the early morning hours before dawn and this shower favors Southern Hemisphere observers as the host constellation, Aquarius, is low in the Northern Hemisphere.
This meteor shower is due to Earth intersecting the cometary debris of famous Halley's Comet and can produce 60 meteors an hour in the Southern Hemisphere and about half that number for those of us in northern latitudes.
Check here to get an idea of what time to look based on your latitude. For those of us in the DMV we should be outside looking to the East at about 3 a.m as the radiant will be about 2 fist widths above the horizon. The key to seeing the shower is having a clear horizon and dark skies. City dwellers MAY see some bright meteors but it is best seen out in the 'burbs or countryside away from bright city lights.
Dress warmly and be comfortable. Lay back in your favorite lawn chair or hammock facing the east and look towards the horizon and halfway up. With your favorite beverage and significant other this is not a bad way to start the day!
Sky Guy in VA
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