A “shooting star” (meteor) is captured hitting Earth’s atmosphere. Photo: Pixabay
By Brooke Edwards
If spring decides to stay, and the clouds clear, we are in for a cosmic show the next 10 nights. The Lyrid meteor shower takes place April 14-30. Make sure to head out before dawn, and pack your patience, or you may miss the “shooting stars” of spring.
What are the Lyrids?
The Lyrids you’ll see flying across the sky hail from comet Thatcher, discovered by A.E. Thatcher in 1861. These fragments of space rock hitting Earth’s atmosphere are known as meteors and appear as “shooting stars.”
You’ll want to look in the eastern sky toward Lyra, the lyre- or harp-shaped constellation. The best way to find Lyra is to look for the star known as Vega. Very bright and impossible to miss, this star appears super high in the east in the hours before sunrise.
When can I see the Lyrids?
The Lyrids show up every year as the Earth revolves around the sun. You can view them during the last two weeks of April. The best night to see them is April 22. Depending on conditions, observers may see 15-18 meteors per hour. Perseverance will pay off, as it could be several minutes before you catch a glimpse of one.
How can I view the shooting stars?
All you need are your eyes! You’ll want a sky that is as free of light pollution as possible. The moon will be full on April 16, so viewing a week before and/or after this date may be hindered by moonlight. The best conditions for watching may be the last week of the month, when the moon will be at its dimmest.
On a clear morning, just look up an hour or two before sunrise, get comfortable and enjoy the show!
Brooke Edwards is a NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Solar System Ambassador. She lives in Manistee and hosts summertime night-sky viewing events at Fifth Avenue Beach in Manistee. Follow her group page on Facebook.
Source: Space.com
