The presence of the nearly full moon near the peak of the shower might pose some challenges for viewing opportunities.
The Lyrid meteor shower takes place annually from April 16-25, with its peak expected on the night of April 22, 2024.
Regrettably, the upcoming Lyrid meteor shower will be difficult to observe due to the presence of a nearly full moon illuminating the sky in the constellation of Virgo during the peak of the Lyrids. However, it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility to witness a remarkable meteor or two!
Similar to the patterns of other meteor showers, the optimal time for viewing the Lyrids will be in the early morning hours. However, you can start observing them as early as 10:30 p.m. local time.
Don’t keep your expectations very high, though. It is not the greatest cosmic event of the year.
However, there is something to marvel at even then. You might be able to see many shooting stars popping out in the sky, which can send shivers down your spine.
Time to start wishing for something!
The typical Lyrid shower usually brings about 15 to 20 meteors per hour.
Certain years witness a remarkable surge in the Lyrid meteor shower, resulting in an impressive display of up to 100 meteors per hour known as an “outburst.” However, accurately forecasting the occurrence of such events remains a challenging task.
This time, we may not be that lucky.
The Lyrid shower can show a few bright fireballs, which light up the night sky. You might be able to see the peak on 21st April, Sunday, where the early morning will color the sky. However, a better view can be witnessed on 22nd April on Monday night.
The sky at night will be quite dark when the Lyrid shower shows itself. The moon will be on its way to the Full Moon phase within a days once the shower peaks.
The radiant will be positioned high in the evening sky, specifically in the constellation Lyra to the northeast of Vega. Vega happens to be one of the brightest stars that can be seen in the night sky during this time of year. Make sure to avoid looking directly at the radiant to ensure you don’t miss out on the meteors with the longest tails.
The Lyrid meteor shower has a moderate brightness, although it doesn’t quite match the dazzling display of the renowned Perseid meteor shower in August, which typically leaves behind more prominent trails.
The source from which the Lyrid meteors emerge is the Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). Whenever we move into late April, our Earth goes through a debris stream leftover of the comet.
This comet leaves behind bits of it that enter our atmosphere and speed through at 110,000 miles per hour. In the atmosphere, they burn down when they are at about 100 km or 60 miles above the surface.
The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded showers, dating all the way back to 687 B.C. Simply gaze up at the night sky, exercise a little patience, and delight in the spectacle of meteors without the need for any specialized equipment.
To optimize your viewing experience of the Lyrid meteor shower, it is recommended to find a secluded spot with minimal light pollution. Once you have found your ideal location, simply recline and allow yourself to unwind. No equipment is necessary for this activity. The key is to observe the sky and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt to the darkness.
While the Lyrid meteor shower may not be as great as the other moments, it can remain as an outstanding view for all of us to enjoy and remember.
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