If you’re up late this week, there will be some dazzling activity in the sky that you can check out. The Lyrids meteor shower will reach its peak early Tuesday morning, displaying a barrage of space rocks meeting the atmosphere in the eastern sky. The best time to catch the Lyrids is after 10 p.m. local time, with the light from the crescent moon not interfering too much with viewing. It is recommended to look away from the moon for the best visibility. Lyrid meteors are unique as they do not typically leave glowing trails of dust, but they do create occasional “fireballs” or bright flashes in the sky.
For the best chance to spot the Lyrids, it is advised to head away from city lights to a dark sky in the countryside. Bringing a blanket or sleeping bag to lay down and comfortably gaze up at the sky is recommended. Avoid looking at your phone screen, as the light can hinder your eyes’ ability to adjust. By giving your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt to the darkness, you will start to see meteors. The radiant of the Lyrids can be found near the constellation Lyra, named after the brightest star in the constellation, Vega. Observers might even be able to spot Vega in light-polluted areas.
The Lyrids meteor shower will be somewhat tempered by a waning crescent moon this year, with the moon rising near 3 a.m. for most viewers. This moonlight may obscure fainter meteors, reducing the hourly count from the usual 10 to 15 down to 5 to 10. However, in the past, lucky skywatchers have been surprised by as many as 100 meteors per hour during the Lyrids. These meteors originate from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher and are one of the oldest known meteor showers. It is recommended to look away from the radiant for a better view of longer and more spectacular Lyrids.
The Lyrid meteor shower takes place every April, originating from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The Lyrids have surprised skywatchers with as many as 100 meteors per hour in the past. This year, the Lyrids will be somewhat hindered by the brightness of the waning crescent moon, which will rise near 3 a.m. for most viewers. Despite this, the Lyrids are known to produce occasional “fireballs” or bright flashes in the sky. For the best viewing experience, it is recommended to head to a dark sky away from city lights and avoid looking at phone screens to allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness.
In summary, the Lyrids meteor shower offers a spectacular display of space rocks meeting the Earth’s atmosphere, with the peak expected early Tuesday morning. Observers are advised to head to dark skies away from city lights and give their eyes time to adjust to the darkness for an optimal viewing experience. The Lyrids originate from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher and have surprised skywatchers in the past with as many as 100 meteors per hour. Despite the waning crescent moon potentially hindering visibility this year, the Lyrids are known to create occasional bright flashes in the sky, making it a sight worth checking out.
