The Lyrid Meteor Shower Will Reach Its Peek This Week

The Lyrid Meteor Shower Will Reach Its Peek This Week
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Nature never ceases to amaze us and skip a chance to show its majesty. The Lyrid meteor shower, which is one of the oldest known events of this kind, will shoot 10 to 20 meteors per hour into the night sky during its peak. 

The Lyrids emerge on the night sky, unfolding their dominance above our heads each and every year around April 22. For 2023, the annual meteor shower reaches its peak on Sunday, April 23.

Set your calendars for April 23!

Any stargazer and space enthusiast needs to keep in mind the date of April 23. During the nighttime, the meteor shower will make a show-off in the sky, with relatively moderate activity. All you need is a good spot to observe the celestial event, as you can even admire it with the naked eye. Make sure to choose a spot away from city lights and that the sky is clear in your area. Grabbing a pair of binoculars can only be a bonus.

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Here’s what NASA has to say about the Lyrids:

The Lyrids are known for their fast and bright meteors. Though not as fast or as plentiful as the famous Perseids in August, Lyrids can surprise watchers with as many as 100 meteors seen per hour. Sightings of these heavier showers occurred in 1803 (Virginia), 1922 (Greece), 1945 (Japan), and 1982 (U.S.). In general, 10-20 Lyrid meteors can be seen per hour during their peak.

The Lyrid meteor shower will be visible from both hemispheres. However, you’re in luck if you live in the northern hemisphere, as the event will look better in that area. 

Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) is the culprit for the creation of the Lyrid meteor shower, as the space rocks are practically leftovers of dust coming from the comet’s tail. Thatcher has an orbital period of 415 years, and its last perihelion was in 1861, meaning the last time when the comet reached its closest distance from the Sun.


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Even since he was a child, Cristian was staring curiously at the stars, wondering about the Universe and our place in it. Today he's seeing his dream come true by writing about the latest news in astronomy. Cristian is also glad to be covering health and other science topics, having significant experience in writing about such fields.

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