Lyrids meteor shower: What it is and how to watch it between 15 and 29 April

The Lyrids meteor bathe is among the finest possibilities to identify capturing stars from anyplace on the planet. This 12 months, will probably be simpler to see than normal due to a brand new moon on 19 April, only a few days earlier than the meteor bathe’s predicted peak. This implies you could have a great probability of seeing capturing stars throughout the bathe’s peak, within the early hours of twenty-two and 23 April, and within the days earlier than.

What’s the Lyrids meteor bathe?

Meteor showers are attributable to clouds of particles left within the wake of comets. When Earth passes by way of these clouds on its path across the solar, the tiny grains of mud or rock enter the ambiance at such excessive speeds that the friction between them and the air makes them expend. This produces a flash that strikes throughout the sky.

The Lyrids are attributable to the long-period Comet C/1861 G1, also referred to as Thatcher. Found in 1861, Thatcher takes 415 years to orbit the solar.

When is the Lyrids meteor bathe?

The bathe is predicted between 15 and 29 April this 12 months and can attain its peak on 22 and 23 April.

Why is it known as the Lyrids meteor bathe?

Every meteor bathe is called after the purpose within the sky the place the meteors appear to begin, or radiate, from. On this case, it’s the northern hemisphere constellation Lyra, which contains the bright star Vega.

The place can I see the Lyrids meteor bathe?

If you’re within the northern hemisphere, search for the constellation Lyra, which will probably be within the east simply after sundown. The constellation gained’t be seen from the southern hemisphere, however meteors can journey in all instructions, so some capturing stars could be seen in the event you look east, too.

How do I watch the Lyrids meteor bathe?

Don’t fear an excessive amount of about discovering Vega, simply let your eyes modify and look out for meteors, which can shoot throughout the sky in all instructions. They’ll seem and disappear inside seconds, transferring quickly throughout the sky. From a darkish web site, freed from the sky glow produced by metropolis lights, about 10 to fifteen meteors per hour needs to be seen on the peak of the bathe.