The drought is finally over! We are back to having meteor showers in our monthly schedules! January-April feels like the longest period of time for stargazers but the Lyrids are finally here. From now to the next couple of nights you can watch this amazing light show in your night sky and let me tell you how!
A lyrid caught by Kris Williams
WHEN is it?
The meteor shower technically began yesterday and lasts until April 25th, but when it comes to meteor showers, our main concern is the peak of the shower. The peak of the Lyrids is April 22nd. The meteor shower will be visible from midnight until dawn. The moon is almost New meaning it won’t outshine the meteors making it the perfect shower for gazing.
WHERE should you look?
If you can tell by the name, the constellation these are close to is Lyra. Lyra is a small constellation and host to the very bright star Vega. If you aren’t that familiar with the sky, don’t worry; you can use an app (like the one I suggested).
Search for Vega or the entire constellation and use the app to figure out where the constellation is at that moment. You can even figure out when it rises and sets. If you use the app I do, make sure you turn on sky object trajectories and use that as a guide for where the star (or constellation) will be and at what time. It should be on automatically, but in case it is not, it is the button on the upper right of the settings (as shown on the right). Also remember that it is always a good idea not to stare at the exact same constellation all night. Let your eyes wander; it isn’t an exact science of where you will see the meteor. Sometimes it is helpful to keep your eyes active by looking somewhere else and coming back.
WHAT are the meteors made of?
The Lyrids are made of the bits of dust and debris left behind by Comet Thatcher. Comet Thatcher takes 415 years to orbit the Sun and isn’t expected to come by us until about 2280. The last time it swung by Earth was in 1861. That means the bits you see burn up this April have been there at least for 155 years! To where those pieces are in space check this out which gives you an outside look of our solar system. in particular highlighting the Lyrids material and how it collides with Earth’s orbit (the inner blue circle is Earth).
Happy Observing!!
NEXT ON THE LINEUP: Eta Aquarids May 5th and 6th
