The Eta Aquariids (ETA) are active Apr 19 – May 28 and peak around May 06, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 50 under ideal skies. They come from comet 1P/Halley, hit the atmosphere at 66 km/s, and are best seen the 2 hours before dawn. The moon will be about 0% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
May 06
2027
ZHR
50
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
0%
New Moon
Radiant
RA 338°
Dec -1°
Eta Aquariids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4:20 AM | 23° | 20 | 0% |
| Alaska | 3:05 AM | -4° | 0 | 0% |
| Arizona | 3:47 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| Arkansas | 4:38 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| California | 4:17 AM | 19° | 16 | 0% |
| Colorado | 4:16 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| Connecticut | 3:42 AM | 13° | 11 | 0% |
| Delaware | 4:14 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| District of Columbia | 4:17 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| Florida | 5:17 AM | 28° | 23 | 0% |
| Georgia | 4:58 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| Hawaii | 4:27 AM | 33° | 27 | 0% |
| Idaho | 4:15 AM | 10° | 9 | 0% |
| Illinois | 3:57 AM | 15° | 13 | 0% |
| Indiana | 4:44 AM | 15° | 13 | 0% |
| Iowa | 4:06 AM | 13° | 11 | 0% |
| Kansas | 4:35 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| Kentucky | 4:42 AM | 16° | 14 | 0% |
| Louisiana | 4:45 AM | 25° | 21 | 0% |
| Maine | 3:15 AM | 10° | 9 | 0% |
| Maryland | 4:16 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| Massachusetts | 3:39 AM | 13° | 11 | 0% |
| Michigan | 4:18 AM | 9° | 8 | 0% |
| Minnesota | 3:35 AM | 7° | 6 | 0% |
| Mississippi | 4:29 AM | 23° | 20 | 0% |
| Missouri | 4:12 AM | 16° | 14 | 0% |
| Montana | 3:50 AM | 6° | 5 | 0% |
| Nebraska | 4:33 AM | 13° | 11 | 0% |
| Nevada | 3:56 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| New Hampshire | 3:35 AM | 12° | 10 | 0% |
| New Jersey | 3:59 AM | 15° | 13 | 0% |
| New Mexico | 4:31 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| New York | 3:39 AM | 11° | 10 | 0% |
| North Carolina | 4:54 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| North Dakota | 3:54 AM | 5° | 4 | 0% |
| Ohio | 4:30 AM | 15° | 13 | 0% |
| Oklahoma | 4:53 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| Oregon | 3:45 AM | 10° | 9 | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | 4:08 AM | 15° | 13 | 0% |
| Rhode Island | 3:37 AM | 13° | 11 | 0% |
| South Carolina | 4:44 AM | 20° | 17 | 0% |
| South Dakota | 3:28 AM | 9° | 8 | 0% |
| Tennessee | 4:07 AM | 21° | 18 | 0% |
| Texas | 5:13 AM | 25° | 21 | 0% |
| Utah | 4:31 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| Vermont | 3:26 AM | 9° | 8 | 0% |
| Virginia | 4:34 AM | 19° | 16 | 0% |
| Washington | 3:20 AM | 5° | 4 | 0% |
| West Virginia | 4:29 AM | 17° | 15 | 0% |
| Wisconsin | 3:35 AM | 10° | 9 | 0% |
| Wyoming | 4:00 AM | 10° | 9 | 0% |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Eta Aquariids peak in 2027?
Around May 06, 2027; activity runs Apr 19 – May 28.
What time is best to watch the Eta Aquariids?
The 2 hours before dawn, when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Eta Aquariids in 2027?
The moon is about 0% lit at the peak. That is close to ideal.