Get ready to witness a stunning celestial event as the annual Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak late Sunday, April 21, into early Monday, April 22. This meteor shower is known for its fast and bright meteors, with some leaving glowing trails in their wake.
However, the full pink moon in April will also be making an appearance, potentially stealing some of the spotlight from the Lyrid meteor shower. Despite this, skywatchers can still expect a spectacular show.
An outburst of meteors from the Lyrids occurs about every 60 years, and the next one is not expected until 2042. In the meantime, the next meteor shower to look forward to in 2024 will be the Quadrantids in January.
The Lyrid meteor shower is caused by space dust from the comet Thatcher, which orbits the sun every 415 years. EarthSky.org suggests finding a moon shadow to block out the moon’s light, which can improve visibility of the meteor shower.
The best viewing opportunities for the Lyrid meteor shower are in the pre-dawn hours when the radiant point is highest in the sky. Tips for watching the meteor shower include being patient and finding a location away from city lights for better visibility.
For those wanting more information on the Lyrid meteor shower, Kimberly Miller can be contacted at [email protected]. Don’t miss this incredible celestial event and mark your calendars for an unforgettable night of stargazing.