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Hopes for clear skies as Eta Aquarids meteor shower to be seen over Western Australia

The West Australian
Australia is set to be treated to a once-a-year meteor shower overnight, thanks to remnants from the Halley’s Comet.
Camera IconAustralia is set to be treated to a once-a-year meteor shower overnight, thanks to remnants from the Halley’s Comet. Credit: DENNIS ANDERSON/AP

If there’s a time to hope the clouds over WA clear, it’s now.

Australia is set to be treated to a once-a-year meteor shower overnight, thanks to remnants from the Halley’s Comet.

Australian National University astronomer Brad Tuckey said the light show would include dozens of shooting stars.

“This will be one of the best meteor showers that we will see this year,” he said.

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“The meteor shower is visible all across Australia — in a dark location, you can expect up to 50 shooting stars per hour.”

The display is from Eta Aquarids, which is one of two meteor showers resulting from debris from Halley’s Comet.

“The Moon will have set as the shower starts to peak, which means the sky will be nice and dark and it will allow everyone to see the fainter meteors,” Dr Tucker said, adding that people should give their eyes 10 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

The meteor shower should be visible without specialist equipment and timeanddate.com says all stargazers need is a something to lay on and plenty of patience.

“Bring a blanket or a comfortable chair with you—meteor watching can be a waiting game,” the website says.

Halley’s Comet produces two meteor showers — the other is the Orionids later in the year.

But, a cold front could hamper WA’s view of the sky show.

A severe weather warning has been issued for much of the south west coast with gale force wind and heavy rains expected from Lancelin all the way down to Albany.

The worst of the weather is forecast to hit from about 7pm. The meteor shower will happen from 2am WA time.

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