Known as one of the oldest meteor showers in recorded human history, the Lyrid showers can be dated 2,700 years back.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is beauty in every level. Be it the smallest sub-atomic particles to the comets appearing in our skies once in a while, to the largest cluster of galaxies or the huge clouds of nebula. The universe is a masterpiece and when it comes to describing its beauty, even scientists fall short of words. As we are living in the age of scientific advancement, it is easier for us to witness a few celestial spectacles and one such event is coming our way soon which will make the avid stargazers very happy.
APRIL ASTRONOMY SCHEDULE!
— 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗲☄️ (@phenomenxnn) April 11, 2020
April 8, 2020
Super Pink Moon (Ended)
April 15, 2020
Moon and Saturn Conjuction.
April 22, 2020
Lyrid Meteor Shower (20 Meteors/hour)
April 29, 2020
Giant Asteroid ° 1988 OR 2 ' will fly closely to the Earth. pic.twitter.com/9VHx9v1PM5
Most of us, at least once in our lifetime, have looked up to the sky and seen a swift streak light dash through the night sky. These sudden appearances of light stunned the scientists for a long time until they made the discovery that these celestial bodies are meteors, more commonly known as shooting stars, (yes, the same ones that we have made our wishes upon seeing them dart across the sky). Meteors are nothing but pieces of debris that come towards the Earth's atmosphere and since they dart towards Earth at a speed of 7 to 46 miles per second, most of them get vaporized the moment they make contact with our atmosphere, leaving behind a white-hot streak.
The #Lyrid Meteor Shower is in a couple of weeks. We will be doing #StayAtHome #meteorwatch for this.
— VirtualAstro (@VirtualAstro) April 9, 2020
We will #lookUp for Shooting Stars.
Follow @VirtualAstro for how to watch, times and info.
(Please Retweet)
Happy Easter, #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/tcChJZQrtB
Well, avid stargazers have something to look forward to on Tuesday, April 21, where the Lyrid meteor shower is expected to hit its peak, reported Penn Live. It isn't the biggest astronomical show of the year, but this celestial event is known to send a rather significant bunch of shooting stars through our night sky, giving it the appearance of fireballs in the night sky. This year, it is expected that we can see about 10-15 meters when it is at its peak. Occasionally, a Lyrid meteor shower is also seen sending as many as 60-100 meteors per hour, but it is not expected to happen this year.
This month's Lyrid meteor shower could be the most visible in years, due to lower light and less air pollution.
— Mental Floss (@mental_floss) April 14, 2020
Here's what you need to know to see the spectacle from wherever you are: https://t.co/LbA4AWHFKL pic.twitter.com/nh149zsPTd
The best time to view the event is when the meteor shower is at its peak. Scientists have estimated early mornings of April 20 and April 22 is the best time to have a look at the night sky to catch the meteor shower at its best. The night sky is expected to be relatively darker and our moon will also be moving towards its new phase, a day after the peak meteor showers.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!! The Lyrid meteor shower should be visible from you garden, balcony or window from 16 - 25 April. You may just have time for order that telescope #COVID19 #StayHomeSaveLives ⭐ pic.twitter.com/7GkUva7cdM
— Salford City Council (@SalfordCouncil) April 11, 2020
Meteor showers can appear anywhere in the sky, but the direction of their motion is usually away from the constellation it is named after. The meteor shower is named Lyrid primarily because they appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra in the northeastern night sky. Scientists have also mentioned that any viewing of the night sky from a dark location is a good viewing location.
The Lyrid meteor shower is active from April 16 to 25, peaking on the morning of the 22nd. About 10 to 15 meteors per hour can be expected around the shower's peak, in a dark sky. The Lyrids are known for uncommon surges that can sometimes bring the rate up to 100 per hour. pic.twitter.com/kjValOnwyo
— Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) April 14, 2020
Most meteoroids range between the size of singular sand grains or pebbles. But our planet Earth is no stranger to witnessing a large meteor occasionally that survives its descent and falls on Earth. Scientifically speaking, any meteor that appears brighter than any of the stars and planets is called a fireball. Their sudden appearance and fast movement give us the illusion that they are much closer than they appear.
Coming up this week! Look up at the dark sky and see the Lyrid Meteor Shower! Learn more https://t.co/6AAwrxXUhl pic.twitter.com/HvVzPj3p75
— Green Bank Observatory (@GreenBankObserv) April 13, 2020
Known as one of the oldest meteor showers in recorded human history, the Lyrid showers are dated as much as 2,700 years back. Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1) is the source of the Lyrid Meteor showers and these showers happen because each year in April, Earth passes through the debris stream left by the comet. This debris then travels to the upper atmosphere of Earth at a speed of 110,000 miles per hour and burn up when they reach 60 miles within the Earth's atmosphere.