The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest-known meteor showers, is set to peak on the night of April 21-22. This will be the first major meteor shower since January’s Quadrantids. However, the nearly full moon on the night of the peak may make it a bit difficult to see the meteors.
In ideal conditions, the Lyrids can average about 10-15 meteors per hour, but can sometimes reach up to 100. The best viewing time will be in the pre-dawn hours, especially after midnight when the shower’s radiant rises in the east.
Dating back to 687 B.C. in China, the Lyrid meteor shower is caused by debris from Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. Meteors are space rocks that create a tail of debris as they disintegrate in the Earth’s atmosphere. Some meteorites have even been traced back to Mars and the moon.
So, if you’re a fan of celestial events, mark your calendars for the night of April 21-22 to witness the Lyrids meteor shower. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or new to meteor showers, this is an event not to be missed. Look up to the sky and enjoy the beauty of nature’s light show.
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