Lyrid meteor shower peaks this week—how to watch in Alabama
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It’s going to be a busy couple days on the sky as the annual Lyrid meteor shower continues this week, hitting its peak between April 21-22.
While the official peak is expected Tuesday afternoon (April 21), the best chance to actually watch comes once the sun goes down.
Keep reading for more on the astronomical event + what you need to know before trying to catch a glimpse of the meteors from Alabama.
Lyrid Meteor Shower
This yearly occurrence comes from debris left behind by Comet Thatcher. When the debris hits and then burns up in our atmosphere, we see the “shooting stars” of a meteor shower.
According to NASA, the Lyrids are known for their fast and bright meteors. As many as 100 meteors per hour have been seen but during this year’s peak, it’s more likely to see 10-20 per hour.
Lyrids don’t often leave long, glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through the Earth’s atmosphere, but they can produce the occasional bright flash called a fireball.
How to watch
To experience the peak of the April Lyrids, NASA says you should look to the east starting at around 9PM on April 21 and through the night. Mostly clear skies are expected to help us here in Alabama.
If you don’t want to sit up all night but are an early riser, the best view comes between moonset and dawn when the sky is at its darkest.
The meteor shower takes place nearby the star Vega, the fifth brightest star in the night sky, which can be found in the constellation Lyra, the Harp.
“Find an area well away from city lights or street lights. Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”
NASA
