The April Lyrid meteor shower annually attracts the attention of observers in various countries around the world. During this period, Earth passes through the dusty tail of a comet, creating conditions for meteors to appear in the night sky. When exactly to expect the peak activity of the Lyrids and how they can be seen - UNN explains.
What are the Lyrids
The Lyrids are an annual meteor shower that can be observed from Earth in April. It is one of the oldest known showers: the first mentions of it were recorded in the 7th century BC in Chinese chronicles. The shower forms when Earth passes through the dusty trail left by comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher).
Lyrid meteors enter the atmosphere at a speed of about 49 km/s. They are bright and can leave short light trails. In some cases, bright bolides are observed. The shower is not among the most intense, but, unlike others, it can be observed every year.
Origin of the meteor shower
The Lyrids are "born" from the long-period comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), which orbits the Sun in approximately 415 years. As it approaches the Sun, the comet loses some of its matter, forming a trail of dust and small particles. When Earth crosses this trail each year, the particles enter the atmosphere and burn up, creating light trails.
Period of activity and peak of the Lyrids
The activity of the Lyrids lasts approximately from April 16 to 25. The peak of the meteor shower usually falls on the night of April 22-23. During this period, under favorable conditions, an average of 10 to 20 meteors per hour can be observed. Sometimes short-term increases in activity are recorded, but they do not have a clear periodicity.
Radiant and observation conditions
The radiant (a conditional point in the sky from which, according to observations, meteors of a certain shower "fly out" - ed.) of the Lyrids is located in the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega. The best time for observation is after midnight and until dawn, when the radiant rises higher above the horizon. For effective observation, it is important to choose places with minimal light pollution, away from urban development.
How to prepare for observation
No telescopes or other optical instruments are needed to observe the Lyrids. It is enough to choose an open place with a wide view of the sky and allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness for 20-30 minutes. It is important to avoid bright light, especially mobile device screens, so as not to reduce visual sensitivity.
By the way, the Lyrids have repeatedly shown increased activity in the past. In particular, in the 20th century, periods were recorded when the number of meteors significantly exceeded average indicators. Such phenomena remain irregular and depend on the density of the comet's dust trail in Earth's path.
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