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Eta Aquariid meteor shower expected to put on a show over Perth’s skies tomorrow morning

Headshot of Caitlyn Rintoul
Caitlyn RintoulThe West Australian
Meteors crossing the sky over the town of Herrnleis during Lyrid meteor shower, Austria.
Camera IconMeteors crossing the sky over the town of Herrnleis during Lyrid meteor shower, Austria. Credit: CHRISTIAN BRUNA/EPA

Perth is in for a sky show on Wednesday morning, as the Eta Aquariid meteor shower moves over Australia.

A highlight for sky watchers, it’s usually active between April 19 and May 28 every year and peaks in the first week of May.

People in Perth will be in the hot seat nationally, with more meteors per hour the further west you go because the radiant point is higher in the sky before sunrise.

It is created as the globe passes through the tens of thousands of years old dust trail laid down by Halley's comet, which circles towards Earth every 76 years passed pluto.

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The next time the Comet Halley will be visible from Earth will be in 2061.

Jacquie Milner at the Mount Burnett Observatory told 7News lucky stargazers could see about 16 to 20 meteors an hour during the peak. Between 2am and 5am is estimated to be prime time.

“We cross the debris stream from Halley twice a year - first in May, when we meet the stream head-on,” Milner told 7News.

“They often come in clumps. So you might see nothing for 20 minutes then get three at once.

“Don’t go out before 2am. Then you can watch until the dawn twilight begins to brighten the sky.

“The second time (is) in October when the stream is going with us.”

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