Halley's Comet holds a special place of significance and popularity among both the general public and the astronomy community alike. In 1705, the wandering body became the first comet whose return was successfully predicted using Isaac Newton 's theories on planetary motions and gravity by famed astronomer Edmond Halley.

Under optimal conditions, about 50 Eta Aquariid meteors can be seen per hour during the shower's peak. But light from the waxing moon will wash out the fainter meteors this year, according to Bill Cooke, who leads NASA's Meteoroid Environments Office. Viewers can expect 10-15 meteors per hour just before dawn on Tuesday morning.