Lyrid meteor shower 2024: How to watch the stunning fireball tonight

The Lyrids are the first major meteor shower of the year, and we’ll all be seeing fireballs tonight (if you’re lucky).

As the meteor shower peaks close to the full moon, conditions are very unfavorable this year. However, while the Perseid meteor shower (mid-July to August) is the reigning champ in producing fireballs, the Lyrids also have tantalizing fireball potential.

It is one of the oldest known meteor showers, with observational records dating back at least 2,700 years. Chinese astronomers first reported the Lyrids when they erupted in activity in 687 BC.Systematic study of meteor showers did not begin until the 19th century^th However, further outbreaks occurred in 1803 and 1833.

So how can you get the best chance of observing the Lyrid meteor shower? What is the cause of this meteor shower? Which direction should you look?

If things are too frustrating this year, why not check out our guide to astrophotography and learn how to take the best photos of the moon ever.

When can we see the Lyrid meteor shower in 2024?

In the UK and US, the best time to see the Lyrids is at its peak on Monday night (22-23 April 2024). However, this time coincides with a nearly full moon (the full pink moon is the night after April 23-24), which is not only bright but stays above the horizon most of the night. The best time to view the Lyrid meteor shower is in the predawn hours.

Showers begin on April 14, 2024 and will continue until April 30. This is a recurring shower that occurs on roughly the same date each year.

Where to see the Lyrid meteor shower

The radiant point of the Lyrid meteor shower is the point of origin of meteors in the sky, located in the constellation Lyra.

As the night progresses, the Lyrids radiant will rise higher during the shower’s peak. The higher the radiant, the greater our chance of seeing meteors and the smaller the chance of them disappearing below the horizon.

Look at about two-thirds of the sky (about 60 degrees altitude) and slightly away from the radiant. At a 90-degree angle to the radiant, the meteor trail will appear longer and therefore easier to spot. Try to see as much of the sky as possible within your line of sight.

Lyra, located between the Summer Triangle and Hercules, is one of the smallest constellations. Thankfully, it’s also one of the most unique stars, as it forms a distinct parallelogram and contains Vega, a bright white star and the fifth-brightest star in the night sky.

Star hopping is a great way to help you find Lyra:

1. First, find the Summer Triangle: Lyra is a prominent constellation in the Summer Triangle. The Summer Triangle consists of three bright stars: Vega (in Lyra), Altair (in Aquila), and Deneb (in Cygnus). Look for these three stars, you should be able to see them in the eastern sky in April evening.
2. Identify Vega: Vega is the brightest star in Lyra and a key landmark in locating the constellation. It is a bright blue-white star that is easy to spot.
3. Trace the shape of Lyra: Once you’ve found Vega, look for the unique parallelogram shape that makes up the main body of Lyra. Vega marks one corner of the shape. From there (with a little imagination) you can see the rest of the outline of the constellation. A lyra resembles a small harp or harp.

If all else fails, pick up your phone and download an astronomy app to show you what’s what (remember to use your phone’s red light filter).

How visible is the Lyrid meteor shower?

When the meteor shower peaks on April 22-23, the moon will be illuminated at around 99% illumination. It will also be above the horizon most of the night. The full moon (April Pink Moon) occurs on the second night of April 23-24, so conditions this year are challenging.

At 99% illumination, the bright Moon will drown out all but the brightest meteors, planets, stars, and constellations. It also causes a glow (called moonlight) to appear across the sky, further hampering progress.

Then there are the effects on dark adaptation of our eyes. We always recommend taking 10-20 minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Otherwise, it is easy to become discouraged when you come out of a bright room and see nothing. The bright light from the nearly full Moon slows and disrupts our accumulated dark vision, making meteors harder to spot.

That’s not to say that this year’s Lyrid meteor shower peaked under completely impossible conditions. There’s still a chance we’ll spot some brighter meteors, including potential fireballs.

How many meteors can we actually see?

Under perfect conditions, with high overhead radiation and dark skies, we can expect to see approximately 18 meteors per hour. The number of visible meteors varies from year to year, with most years producing 10 to 20 meteors. This year, however, due to the interference of the moon, this phenomenon will be significantly reduced.

“Since the bright full moon occurs within one day at the peak of this meteor shower, only the brightest meteors are bright enough to exceed the glare of the moon, so this year we may only see 3 to 4 meteors per hour,” Su said. Dr Darren Baskill, an astrophysicist at the University of Sussex explains.

“The best meteor shower of the year will be the Perseid meteor shower after moonset in mid-August. At that time, we will see one meteor every five minutes from towns and one meteor every minute from the darkest places around.” .

What causes the Lyrid meteor shower?

Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through a debris field left behind by a comet or asteroid.

These pieces orbit the sun just as the Earth orbits the sun. When Earth’s orbit intersects this debris field, small amounts of dust and particles burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. This creates bright streaks of light that we see as shooting stars (shooting stars).

Most of the particles that create meteors are about the size of a grain of sand, while larger fragments create fireballs.

When we talk about the “peak” of a meteor shower, it’s when we pass through the core of the debris flow (the densest part) and can see more meteors.

The Lyrid meteor shower is famous for its bright, fast-moving meteors. They also tend to leave a lasting mark in the sky, which is very useful when fighting the interfering moon.

The parent body of the Lyrid meteor shower is a comet, Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. This is a long-period comet that orbits the sun every 415.5 years. It last reached perihelion (its closest position to the sun) in 1861, so it will still be a long time (about 2276 years) before it returns to our neighborhood.

Lyrid meteor shower: viewing tips

If you’re determined to try your luck, here’s what you can do to maximize your chances:

• Minimize light damage: Try to find a place away from bright light. Keep any unavoidable lights out of your direct line of sight.
• Let night vision develop: Allow your eyes to adjust to the dark as much as possible despite the interference of the moon. Sit outside for about 20 minutes and you’ll find that you start to take in more details of your surroundings.
• Far from the moon: If possible, choose a location where the moon is obscured by foliage or buildings.
• Find the Meteor Train: Meteor trains can stay in the sky for a few seconds after the initial meteor appears, giving you a better chance of spotting the elusive visitor.
• Use a red light filter: If you need to view your phone, book, or anything else, use a red light filter. This will help you avoid destroying your accumulated night vision.
• Watch out for fireballs: Although rare, we may have a chance to spot some fireballs during the Lyrid meteor shower. These are often seen over a large area and witnessed by many people, or captured by video doorbell cameras.

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About our experts

Dr. Darren Baskill is an Outreach Officer and Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sussex. He has previously spoken at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, where he launched the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

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