How to View the Lyrid Meteor Showers

Introduction

Meteor activity diminishes from January to April, but mid-April brings the Lyrid Meteors, first observed in China in 700 BCE. Stargazers can expect to see one or two shooting stars every few minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Film
• Binoculars
• Blankets
• SLR Camera
• Camera Accessories
• Telescopes
• Sky And Telescope Subscriptions
• Lawn Chairs
• Telescope Tripods
• Telescope Cleaning Kits
• Telescope Camera Adapters
• Telescope T-rings For Camera
• Telescope Dew Caps
• Telescope Light-pollution Filters
• Video Cameras

Steps

1 Step One

Mark your calendar for the Lyrid meteor shower that occurs in mid to late April, peaking around the 21st or 22nd.

2 Step Two

Watch for Lyrid meteors late at night. The best viewing times are after midnight, and the showers peak between 3 AM and dawn.

3 Step Three

Dress warmly.

4 Step Four

Use a patio chaise lounge and a thick blanket so you can recline while watching.

5 Step Five

Set aside your binoculars or telescope with their narrow field of view. They're great for observing the night sky, but they're counterproductive when watching meteor showers.

6 Step Six

Look for the constellation Lyra. The Lyrid meteor shower occurs when Lyra is visible above the horizon.

7 Step Seven

Look for Lyra about 50 degrees above the horizon some two hours after midnight. It is a four-star constellation near Vega, the brightest star in that part of the sky.

8 Step Eight

Expect all meteors to appear to emanate from a point near Lyra because of an optical illusion called a radiant point.

Tips & Warnings

• Vega, the constellation Lyra, and the radiant point of the Lyrid meteor shower are in a one o'clock position from the Northern Cross (Cygnus) constellation.
• The International Meteor Organization predicts the Lyrid peak in 2000 will be from April 21st, 2200 hours Universal Time to April 22nd, 0500 hours Universal Time.
• The International Meteor Organization says the Lyrid display will "suffer from bright waning gibbous moonlight this year."
• There is also a Lyrid peak on the 15th of June, but the light of a full moon will diminish sightings.