Nagpur: April is turning out to be an innovative month for stargazers. Many people saw the hybrid solar eclipse on April 20. Now there will be a chance to see the Lyrid meteor shower on April 22 and 23. The meteor shower will be visible from 10.30 pm to midnight near the star Vega in the constellation Lyra after sunset in the north and east. It is estimated that 15 to 25 meteors can be seen per hour.
The Lyrid meteor shower occurs between April 16-25 every year and will peak on the night of April 22. Viewing opportunities are favourable for the 2023 Lyrids for the waxing crescent moon will be just 6% illuminated on the night of the peak.
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Friday 27 Dec. 2024
This meteor shower is caused by comet Thatcher. In 1861, this comet passed by the Earth. This meteor shower has been visible since then. Astronomers are predicting that a large meteor shower will be seen 20 years later in 2042, when this comet will pass by the Earth’s orbit. This comet will pass by the Earth again after 245 years i.e. in 2278. Then the meteors will be in a state as if it has rained.
As with most meteor showers, the peak viewing time will be before dawn, but the Lyrids will become visible beginning at about 10:30 p.m. local time. The average Lyrid shower produces 15 to 20 meteors per hour.
Some years, the Lyrid meteor shower intensifies and can produce up to 100 meteors per hour in what’s called an “outburst,” but it is difficult to predict exactly when that will happen.
