Lyrid meteor shower peaking: How, where, when to see it best, The annual Lyrid meteor shower is peaking as of Sunday, April 21, 2013, and Space.com says that the moon's bright light may end up affecting the beautiful display. The meteor shower will be peaking from Sunday evening into the early hours of the morning on Monday, April 22, 2013.
Every year, the Lyrid meteor shower occurs in mid-April as the Earth passes through a trail of so-called dusty debris from the Comet Thatcher. That particular comet orbits the sun just once ever 415 years, and the Lyrid meteor shower has been viewed on Earth for at least 2,600 years.
Rural areas with dark skies can possibly see 15 to 20 meteors per hour, but that isn't always guaranteed. It usually has to be a clear night for observers to see the Lyrid meteor shower as it is peaking.
It is also a good idea to be as far away from big city lights as possible. Sadly, the bright moon at this time of year may spoil a good bit of it for 2013.
The very best time to catch the Lyrid meteor shower peaking will be as the moon is setting and the sun is rising. 4:00 a.m. local time for anyone will be the best possible chance to catch some meteors and shooting stars.
Tips for best Lyrid viewing experiences:
Find an unobstructed area free of structures.
Get away from city lights.
Avoid telescopes and binoculars as they will limit your vision.
Once settled in a spot, face half-way up toward the northeastern portion of the sky.
Try to locate the constellation of Perseus as the meteor shower will be in that general direction.
Do not look straight up into the sky.
Have patience.
Don't stare directly at Lyra.
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Every year, the Lyrid meteor shower occurs in mid-April as the Earth passes through a trail of so-called dusty debris from the Comet Thatcher. That particular comet orbits the sun just once ever 415 years, and the Lyrid meteor shower has been viewed on Earth for at least 2,600 years.
Rural areas with dark skies can possibly see 15 to 20 meteors per hour, but that isn't always guaranteed. It usually has to be a clear night for observers to see the Lyrid meteor shower as it is peaking.
It is also a good idea to be as far away from big city lights as possible. Sadly, the bright moon at this time of year may spoil a good bit of it for 2013.
The very best time to catch the Lyrid meteor shower peaking will be as the moon is setting and the sun is rising. 4:00 a.m. local time for anyone will be the best possible chance to catch some meteors and shooting stars.
Tips for best Lyrid viewing experiences:
Find an unobstructed area free of structures.
Get away from city lights.
Avoid telescopes and binoculars as they will limit your vision.
Once settled in a spot, face half-way up toward the northeastern portion of the sky.
Try to locate the constellation of Perseus as the meteor shower will be in that general direction.
Do not look straight up into the sky.
Have patience.
Don't stare directly at Lyra.
For e-mail updates whenever a new article is posted, please subscribe at the bottom of the page and follow me on Twitter: @CapnDanny, GoogleBuzz, or join my group on Facebook and Celebrity Buzz.
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