The Lyrids meteor shower can be seen annually around April 16-25. This year the peak is expected to occur the evening of April 22 to shortly before dawn on April 23. Viewers can expect a nice show this year as the crescent Moon will set early in the evening skies, leaving the skies dark..
The number of meteors can vary, and very rarely reach "storm" levels of frequency, but on a very dark and moonless night, a very lucky and sharp observer may be able to see 10-20 meteors per hour. Totals will be much lower than that after the gibbous Moon rises during this year's shower; its light will overwhelm the fainter meteors, but brighter meteors will still be visible.
If you want to try to spot some meteors you may want to bundle up as it's still a bit chilly at night for most folks in the Northern Hemisphere! Get to a dark spot, get comfortable, bring extra blankets to stay warm, and let your eyes adjust to the dark sky. A cozy lounge chair makes for a great seat, as does simply lying on your back on a blanket, eyes scanning the whole sky.
Find out more Lyrid observing tips for this year from NASA's What's Up? video for stargazers along with this article from EarthSky . The Night Sky Network has a handout that you may find useful for your meteor watching party: Heads Up: It's a Meteor Shower Handout!
The number of meteors can vary, and very rarely reach "storm" levels of frequency, but on a very dark and moonless night, a very lucky and sharp observer may be able to see 10-20 meteors per hour. Totals will be much lower than that after the gibbous Moon rises during this year's shower; its light will overwhelm the fainter meteors, but brighter meteors will still be visible.
If you want to try to spot some meteors you may want to bundle up as it's still a bit chilly at night for most folks in the Northern Hemisphere! Get to a dark spot, get comfortable, bring extra blankets to stay warm, and let your eyes adjust to the dark sky. A cozy lounge chair makes for a great seat, as does simply lying on your back on a blanket, eyes scanning the whole sky.
Find out more Lyrid observing tips for this year from NASA's What's Up? video for stargazers along with this article from EarthSky . The Night Sky Network has a handout that you may find useful for your meteor watching party: Heads Up: It's a Meteor Shower Handout!
Date: Saturday, April 22 - Sunday, April 23, 2023
Time: 9 p.m. - 5 a.m.