After an amazing Total Solar Eclipse stargazers are ready to see the sky but this time they have to see the night sky, in the coming week Lyrid Meteor Shower are at their peak. So this meteor shower will light up the entire night sky worldwide.
Lyrids are the annual event that occurs every year around mid to late April, this time The Lyrids will run from April 15 to April 29. This annual event typically produces 15 to 20 bright meteors per hour, with the peak expected on April 21-22, 2024.
Origin & History of Lyrid Meteor Shower
It is one of the oldest meteor showers, observed for 2700 years. Lyrid meteor shower was first observed in 687 B.C.E. It was spotted by Chinese astronomers. Lyrid shower belongs to comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. Just like other meteor showers, Lyrids occur when the debris of comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher comes into the field of Earth’s atmosphere.
Comet name C/1861 G1 Thatcher had been given after an amateur astronomer who first observed the Lyrid meteor shower. Thatcher observed the first shower on April 5, 1861. C/1861 G1 Thatcher takes almost 415 years to complete one orbit around our Sun.
In the year 2278 C/1861 G1 Thatcher will enter the inner solar system. The Lyrid appears to originate near the Lyra constellation with Vega being its brightest star, aiding in location.
Mostly Lyrid produces 18 meteors per hour but sometimes it produces more than 90 meteors up to 100 meteors per hour. In the years 1803, 1922, 1945, and 1982 the Lyrids produced more than 100 meteors though their time is so unpredictable.
Tips to see Lyrid Meteor Shower
The first tip to see a meteor shower is to find a dark place, but this time unfortunately Lyrid’s peak will align with a full moon. Don’t worry it is harder to find but not impossible to see meteors in the night sky, viewing can still be rewarding with proper planning.
See areas with minimal light pollution, allow eyes to adjust to the darkness in addition avoid mobile screens to enhance visibility.
One of the simple observation techniques is instead of focusing solely on radiant, expert stargazers recommend scanning the entire sky for longer and breathtaking views.
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