The Lyrids meteor shower is an annual celestial event that occurs in mid-to-late April, typically peaking around April 21st. This meteor shower is caused by debris from the comet Thatcher, which enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up, creating a stunning display of shooting stars.
The Lyrids meteor shower is one of the oldest known meteor showers, with records dating back over 2,600 years. It is named after the constellation Lyra, which is the location of the radiant point - the area of the sky from which the meteors appear to originate.
This year, the Lyrids meteor shower is expected to be visible from April 16th to April 25th, with the peak occurring on the night of April 21st. The best time to observe the meteor shower is after midnight, when the radiant point is higher in the sky. Stargazers can expect to see an average of 10 to 20 meteors per hour during the peak of the Lyrids meteor shower, with some years having higher rates of activity. The Lyrids are known for producing bright fireballs, which are larger and brighter than the average meteor.
To observe the Lyrids meteor shower, find a location away from light pollution with a clear view of the sky. Dress warmly and bring a comfortable chair or blanket to sit on. Look towards the northeastern part of the sky and use a star chart to locate the constellation Lyra and the radiant point. Overall, the Lyrids meteor shower is a beautiful display of nature's wonders and a must-see for any stargazing enthusiast.
The image below is taken from Stellarium and shows the location of the radiant from a southern hemisphere perspective.
The constellation Lyra is a small but prominent constellation located in the northern hemisphere. It is visible from latitudes between +90° and -40° and is best seen during the summer months.
Lyra is named after the lyre, a musical instrument from ancient Greece, and is often depicted as such in astronomy artwork. Its brightest star, Vega, is one of the brightest stars in the sky and is located near the constellation's border.
In addition to Vega, Lyra also contains several other notable stars, including Sheliak and Sulafat, which form a double star that is easily visible with a telescope. There are also several interesting deep-sky objects in Lyra, including the Ring Nebula, a planetary nebula that resembles a smoke ring in space, and the famous Double-Double star system, which can be resolved into two binary star systems with a telescope.
Overall, Lyra is a fascinating constellation with many interesting features for astronomers and stargazers alike.