Starwatch: Lyrid meteor shower returns to the spring skies
Summary
The Lyrid meteor shower occurs every spring and reaches its peak on the night of April 22 to early April 23. The meteors come from the Lyra constellation and can be seen best after midnight, especially in the northern hemisphere.Key Facts
- The Lyrid meteor shower has been active since April 16 and peaks late on April 22 and early April 23.
- The meteors appear to come from a point called the radiant, located in the Lyra constellation near the bright star Vega.
- Around 18 meteors per hour can be seen at the peak, and they move fast, often with bright trails or smoky “trains.”
- The Lyrids have been observed since 687 BC.
- The meteors come from dust left behind by comet Thatcher, discovered in 1861.
- The best viewing time is after midnight when your eyes are fully adjusted to the dark, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- People in the southern hemisphere have a limited view because the radiant is low in the northern sky.
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