Get ready to wish upon a shooting star as the Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks Monday night, promising up to 50 meteors an hour—if only the weather cooperates and you can find a dark enough spot to lie down!

As the Eta Aquarids meteor shower reaches its peak from Monday night through early Tuesday morning, skywatchers can look forward to up to 50 meteors an hour zipping through the night, all thanks to space debris from Halley's Comet. But with a 60% full moon and predicted rain in parts of the U.S., finding an ideal spot to make wishes may feel like a quest in itself—even more challenging than spotting an actual shooting star.

The meteor shower, which has been active since April 20, is a true celestial buffet for star-gazers. It continues to sprinkle the sky with shooting stars until May 21, giving enthusiasts ample time to venture out and pray that the clouds don't follow them. For those of you, dear readers, who live in areas with peculiar weather patterns—especially in the Northeast—this could be a game of meteor roulette, or perhaps just a soggy backyard camping experience.

If you do decide to brave the outdoors, be prepared: these meteors are not your average ordinary stars but rather speedy projectiles, streaking by at an impressive 40 to 41 miles per second. A brief pause for breath might occur when the sight of these meteors sends adrenaline surging through the veins. After all, monitoring the exquisite dance of space debris as it burns up in the atmosphere is a rush, especially when you realize those streaks are potentially remnants from Halley’s Comet—not exactly the kind of litter you’d want to stumble upon during a walk.

Visibility is paramount when it comes to meteor watching, and the best chance to spot these celestial wonders is before dawn, when your neighbor's obnoxiously bright porch light is less likely to ruin your view. Strategically, one should find a location far away from the urban glow, which could mean the local park, a rooftop, or perhaps a friend's backyard, provided their dog isn't overly enthusiastic about evening visitors.

For the optimal experience, the astronomical experts recommend lying flat on your back—after confirming that your choice of a starry perch isn't infested with mosquitoes or other night terrors. It’s all about perspective, really; the direction to look is toward the constellation Aquarius, which is fitting for this water-bearing celestial event. Just don’t forget to wrap yourself in warmth, a sleeping bag, or an assortment of blankets, because the nights may still have a chill, even if your wishes are heating up.

It’s also important to prepare your eyes, as they will need at least 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness—much like convincing yourself not to check your phone for late-night memes. Patience is a virtue and a necessity for those cosmic revelations. Indeed, anticipation can be more satisfying than the meteors themselves, since hope, like light pollution, has a habit of clouding your vision.

For those well-versed in meteor terminology, you may hear some talk about 'earthgrazers.' These are meteors that skim the top of the atmosphere, making them a tantalizing treat for watchers. True, they may not all be earthgrazers, but when there’s a 60% full moon conspiring to obscure the fainter shooting stars, one can’t be too picky. In fact, you might need to conjure more than mere wishes, such as possibly arranging sacrifices to the weather gods to allow just a few moments of clear skies.

So if you find yourself staying up late and simultaneously trying not to fall asleep, remember the age-old meteor shower watching mantra: 'Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight… Well, maybe not if that cloud rolls in.' And let hope outweigh the atmospheric disturbances or impending drizzle. Sometimes a good meteor shower can turn into an exercise of pure will against the elements and your own latent fatigue.

In conclusion, if the universe aligns itself, and the weather behaves with the grace of a well-trained puppy, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower could easily fulfill your wishes for starry evenings filled with wonder. Just make sure your camera is charged, your friends are committed, and your expectations are realistically set—after all, this is space debris we're talking about, not a Broadway show.