One of the best meteor showers in the Southern Hemisphere is lighting up the skies over New Zealand this week, with the Eta Aquariids reaching their peak.

The shower is caused by the Earth passing through the debris field left behind by Halley’s Comet, with meteors appearing to radiate from the constellation Aquarius.

While you should be able to catch a glimpse of the celestial light show throughout the week, Thursday is expected to offer the best viewing. Be prepared for an early start, the peak time is after the Moon has set, between 3am and 6am, when skies are darkest.

Under ideal conditions, stargazers could see between 10 and 50 meteors per hour. For the best view, look north-east before sunrise and head away from city lights.

No special equipment is needed,  just your eyes, a warm jacket, and a bit of patience. If you’re unsure where to look, Venus will be shining brightly in the dawn sky and can help guide you. I’m