Lyrids Meteor Shower - Boston Events INSIDER

Lyrids Meteor Shower at Boston Events INSIDER

Johnny's Summary

Let's watch the Earth get pummelled by rocks from space! You should be able to see 10-20 meteors per hour. Drive at night out to a pond or field where there aren't any city lights, to watch the meteors. (The last time I tried this, I didn't plan my destination and got stuck in an area with streetlights. Make sure to have a place to go in mind!) And see satellites fly by anytime through this list on the third website. 11pm. Sat 4/21. Anywhere, Anywhere . See my Johnny Monsarrat prank, when I filled an office witih balloons!

Full Description

LYRIDS

Predicted Maximum: April 22, ~5h30m UT (= Apr. 21, 10:30pm PDT; = Apr, 22, 1:30am EDT)

Moon: Waxing Crescent (no interference)

(radiant map from IMO)

WHEN TO WATCH: Mid-northern observers may start observing during the late evening hours of Saturday, April 21, just before midnight. Continue into the early morning hours of Sunday, April 22 until morning twilight or until you get too tired.

The Lyrids are another shower with a reputation for variable rates and timing. Usually, they produce about 10-20 meteors per hour at maximum (under dark skies). In most years, the peak is fairly sharp, so observations on the mornings of April 21 or 23 probably won't produce much. Lyrids produce fairly fast meteors with a reputation for being faint on average. However, I've seen my share of Lyrid fireballs, and the 2009 display was uncharacteristically bright.

Primary website
Alternate website
Alternate website
on Twitter
on Facebook
This Week's Complete EVENTS INSIDER

See other events from Events INSIDER, New England's most popular events blog!