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


Shooting stars during the 2020 Lyrids meteor shower

Capturing stars in the course of the 2020 Lyrids meteor bathe

Ingo Bartussek/Shutterstock

The Lyrids meteor bathe is likely one of the greatest possibilities to identify taking pictures stars from wherever on the planet. This 12 months, will probably be simpler to see than traditional because of a brand new moon on 19 April, only a few days earlier than the meteor bathe’s predicted peak. This implies you may have an excellent probability of seeing taking pictures stars in the course of 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 brought on by clouds of particles left within the wake of comets. When Earth passes by means of these clouds on its path across the solar, the tiny grains of mud or rock enter the environment at such excessive speeds that the friction between them and the air makes them dissipate. This produces a flash that strikes throughout the sky.

The Lyrids are brought on by the long-period Comet C/1861 G1, also called Thatcher. Found in 1861, Thatcher takes 415 years to orbit the solar.

When is the Lyrids meteor bathe?

The bathe is anticipated 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 known as 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 accommodates the intense star Vega.

The place can I see the Lyrids meteor bathe?

In case you are within the northern hemisphere, search for the constellation Lyra, which will likely be within the east simply after sundown. The constellation received’t be seen from the southern hemisphere, however meteors can journey in all instructions, so some taking pictures stars is likely to be seen should 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 regulate and look out for meteors, which is able to shoot throughout the sky in all instructions. They are going to seem and disappear inside seconds, transferring quickly throughout the sky. From a darkish website, freed from the sky glow produced by metropolis lights, about 10 to fifteen meteors per hour ought to be seen on the peak of the bathe.

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