Excellent prospects for the Lyrid meteor shower
WTOP • • science
Key Points:
- The Lyrid meteor shower is peaking on the night of April 21-22, with optimal viewing expected from midnight through dawn, offering 15 to 20 meteors per hour in dark locations.
- The meteor shower occurs as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Thatcher, whose fragments travel at about 108,000 mph and burn up about 80 miles above Earth, creating visible shooting stars.
- Observers should face northeast and look toward the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega, where the meteors appear to originate; no special equipment is needed for viewing.
- City residents may still see the brightest meteors if they avoid light pollution, and those unable to view the shower in person can listen to meteor radar online at livemeteors.com to experience the event audibly.
- Viewers are encouraged to dress warmly and enjoy the meteor shower with others, and can follow daily astronomy updates through the author’s blog and newsletter.
