If you enjoy stargazing, the coming weeks are yours. The skies of April and May will soon be aglow with two meteor showers. You won't require fancy equipment—just eyes and time.
Lyrids to Grace the Northern Skies First
The Lyrid meteor shower begins on April 17 this year. It continues until April 26, peaking between April 21 and 22. This shower will mostly appear in the northern hemisphere. Its radiant lies near the Lyra constellation, hence the name.
The Lyrids are the offspring of comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher). This icy visitor orbits the Sun every 422 years. As Earth intersects its trail, dust impacts the atmosphere. The particles burn fiercely, producing visible meteor streaks.
At its best, 10 to 15 meteors per hour are possible. But a 40% waning Moon can cut down on visibility. EarthSky recommends viewing before moonrise on April 21. That's when conditions will be optimal.
Unfortunately, southern hemisphere observers might miss out. Lyra is still high in the northern sky during the event.
Eta Aquariids to Light Up Southern Tropics
Hot on the heels of the Eta Aquariids are the Lyrids. This shower occurs from April 20 to May 21. Its maximum occurs on the nights of May 2 and 3.
The Eta Aquariids are associated with Halley's Comet. This well-known object goes around the Sun every 76 years. The radiant is observed close to the constellation of Aquarius, which can be seen in southern skies.
Southern latitudes will see a good show this year. 50 to 60 meteors an hour can be seen. Northern latitudes may catch a glimpse or two, but only 20 an hour.
No Telescope Necessary
Meteor showers are the result of comet debris that remains behind. When Earth passes through this dust, the particles incinerate. The light produced from this burning is what forms stunning night-time vistas.
No special gear is required to observe them. Choose a dark area with an unobstructed view of the sky. Sit comfortably and prepare for an early morning.
Watching times vary by location on earth. For specific information, check Time and Date on the Internet. They both have pages dedicated to Lyrids and Eta Aquariids.
To be ahead of the curve, download the International Meteor Organization's 2025 calendar. It has all the major meteor showers for the year.
Programme your alarms and get to enjoy nature's show in the sky.
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