Last Chance: Catch The Lyrid Meteor Shower

22 Apr 2020, 12:30 pm

You only have a couple more chances to catch the annual Lyrid meteor shower before it’s all over for this year!

The Lyrid meteor shower is an April treat that comes from “pieces of debris from the periodic Comet C/1861 Thatcher” according to NASA. This time each year Earth runs into a stream of debris that is leftover from this above-mentioned comet. The small particles of space debris burn up in the outer limits of our atmosphere, dozens of miles above our heads.

A time series of a meteor within the Lyrid meteor shower, courtesy NASA

The meteor shower is expected to last until April 25th, late Friday night. It already peaked earlier this week, but there is still some time to see it tonight (Wednesday night) and again Thursday/Friday nights. Up to 10-15 meteors per hour may occur at maximum, so be patient while trying to catch one.

Look to the northeast after sunset to find the meteors. Good viewing will occur after roughly 10 p.m. local time, but especially after midnight local as the constellation Lyra rises through the northeast sky. Dress appropriately, social distance, and get away from light pollution to see this the best.

About the author

Steven Glazier

Summer of 1993, New England Dragway. That's when and where Steve knew he wanted to become a meteorologist. More than 20 years later he is extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to live his childhood dream. As a lover of math and science, Steve had a consistent interest in weather in elementary, middle, and high school before discovering you can major in meteorology. He attended Lyndon State Co... Load Morellege in Vermont where he received a bachelor's in meteorology-broadcasting and associate's in television news. He has worked as a meteorologist and reporter in Winchester, VA, Burlington, VT, and most recently in West Palm Beach, FL. He's recognized by the American Meteorological Society with the Certification of Broadcast Meteorologists.