Composite picture of Lyrid and not-Lyrid meteors over New Mexico from April, 2012. Credit: NASA/ MSFC/ Danielle Moser
The Lyrid meteor bathe peaks on April 23 with as much as 15 meteors per hour.
The bathe is likely one of the oldest in historical past, with data relationship again 2,700 years. Lyrid outbursts stay troublesome to foretell, making common observations essential for enhancing fashions. To observe the Lyrids, discover a darkish location away from metropolis lights, enable 30 minutes for eyes to regulate, and keep away from brilliant screens. Meteors will peak at 10-15 per hour through the early morning of the 23rd, however decrease charges are seen on adjoining nights.
This 12 months’s Lyrid meteor bathe will peak within the predawn hours of April 23. On common, the bathe can produce as much as 15 meteors per hour underneath best viewing situations. The Lyrids happen yearly in mid-April, when Earth crosses the path of particles left by the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. These bits of comet fritter away after they hit Earth’s environment and produce this bathe of capturing stars. The bathe will get its identify from the constellation Lyra, the purpose within the sky the place the meteors seem to originate. Unlike the Perseids or Geminids, the Lyrids will not be recognized for brilliant fireballs. What makes them particular is their unpredictability.
Lyrid Meteors from the Constellation Lyra. Credit & Copyright: Petr Horálek
The first file of the Lyrid meteor bathe dates again 2,700 years, making it one of many oldest in historical past. Researchers wanting although outdated data have discovered descriptions of main Lyrid outbursts. For instance, a notation made by the French bishop Gregory of Tours in April of 582 A.D. states, “At Soissons, we see the sky on fire.” There was additionally a Lyrid outburst seen over the United States in 1803. An article within the Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser describes the bathe: “From one until three, those starry meteors seemed to fall from every point in the heavens, in such numbers as to resemble a shower of sky rockets.” The final Lyrid outburst was in 1982, when 75 meteors per hour have been recorded by observers in Florida.
The frequent theme right here is that Lyrid outbursts are surprises. Unlike another showers, meteor researchers aren’t in a position to predict Lyrid outbursts as properly. That’s why it is very important make observations annually in order that fashions of its exercise may be improved.
On April 21, the 2012 Lyrid meteor bathe peaked within the skies over Earth. While NASA allsky cameras were looking up, astronaut Don Pettit aboard the International Space Station trained his video camera on Earth below. Video footage has revealed breathtaking images of meteors ablating — or burning up — over Earth at night. This video is a composite of 310 still frames from that evening. Credit: NASA/JSC/Don Pettit
How can you best observe the Lyrids? After 10:30 p.m. local time on the night of April 22, find a dark place away from city lights with open sky free of clouds and look straight up. It will take about 30 minutes for your eyes to get acclimated to the dark. Don’t look at your cell phone – the bright light from its screen will interrupt your night vision. You will begin to see Lyrids, and as the night progresses the meteors will appear more often, reaching 10 to 15 per hour in the pre-dawn hours of the 23rd. You can see Lyrids on the night before and after the peak, but the rates will be lower, maybe five per hour or so.
