Shooting star of the 2020 Lyrid meteor shower
Ingo Bertusek/Shutterstock
The Lyrids meteor shower is one of the best chances of spotting a shooting star from anywhere in the world. This year, it will be easier to see than usual thanks to the new moon on April 19, just days before the peak of the expected meteor shower. This means that you are more likely to see a shooting star during the peak of the showers, in the early hours of April 22nd and 23rd, and the day before.
What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
Meteor showers are caused by clouds of debris left behind by comets. As the Earth passes through these clouds in its orbit around the Sun, small particles of dust and rock enter the atmosphere at great velocities and are burned up by friction between them and the air. This produces a flash that travels across the sky.
Lyra is caused by long-period comet C/1861 G1, also known as Thatcher. Discovered in 1861, Thatcher takes 415 years to orbit the Sun.
When is the Lyrid meteor shower?
Showers are expected from April 15th to 29th this year, peaking on April 22nd and 23rd.
Why is it called the Lyrid meteor shower?
Each meteor shower is named after a point in the sky from which the meteor appears to originate or radiate. In this case, the Northern Hemisphere constellation containing the bright star Vega is Lyra.
Where can I see the Lyrid meteor shower?
If you’re in the northern hemisphere, look for Lyra in the east just after sunset. The constellation is not visible from the Southern Hemisphere, but meteors can travel in all directions, so you may even see some shooting stars if you look east.
How can I see the Lyrids meteor shower?
Don’t worry too much about finding Vega. Adjust your eyes and look for meteors shooting the sky in all directions. They appear and disappear in seconds and move quickly through the sky. About 10 to 15 meteors should be visible per hour during peak showers from a dark location without the glow in the sky produced by city lights.
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