Empire State Review Team 
The Lyrid Meteor Shower: What to Expect This April
This Monday night ushers in an exciting astronomical event—the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Known for its swift and luminous streaks in the night sky, the peak activity of the shower will extend into Tuesday morning for those located in the United States.
Origins of the Lyrids
The Lyrid meteor shower originates from the debris left by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. This comet, first identified by astronomer A.E. Thatcher in 1861, has yet to complete a full orbit around the Sun. It is estimated that the comet requires approximately 415 years to make a complete revolution.
Meteor Activity
A typical meteor shower can yield between 10 to 20 meteors per hour. However, under optimal conditions, the Lyrids have the potential to produce bursts of up to 100 meteors per hour. Observers can look forward to a spectacular display, especially since the Moon will be in its waning phase, minimizing interference from lunar brightness.
Where and When to Observe
The radiant point of the Lyrid meteor shower is located in the constellation Lyra, near its brightest star, Vega. While Vega serves as a prominent guide to find the shower’s source, it is recommended to observe the meteors away from this point for a better viewing experience.
- Choose a dark location away from city lights for the best visibility.
- Give your eyes about 15 minutes to adjust to the dark before looking for meteors.
- The optimal viewing time is prior to moonrise, which occurs in the pre-dawn hours across much of the U.S. For specific moonrise times, check timeanddate.com.
Upcoming Celestial Events
If the Lyrids do not meet your expectations or if cloudy skies obstruct your view, don’t worry. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower offers another opportunity to witness shooting stars, peaking on May 3-4, according to NASA.
Further Exploration
To stay updated on this year’s celestial events, including more meteor showers, full Moons, eclipses, and Supermoons, refer to your complete guide to astronomy at this link.
For additional details, visit FOX Weather.
