The Lyrids are will peak on April 22, 2015. A waxing
crescent Moon will create good viewing conditions. Those in Europe are
best located to view the meteor shower. The best time to watch it is
after midnight on April 22.
Considered to be the oldest known meteor shower, the Lyrids are named after constellation Lyra. The radiant point of the shower - the point in the sky where the meteors seem to emerge from - lies near the star Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky during this time of the year.
The Lyrids are associated with comet Thatcher, which takes about 415 years to orbit around the Sun.
Where to view the Lyrids
While observers in the Northern Hemisphere are best located to view the Lyrids, those in mid Southern Hemisphere latitudes can also see the shower between midnight and dawn.It is not necessary to look in a particular direction to enjoy a meteor shower – just lay down on the ground and look directly above and you are bound to see some meteors. However, astronomers suggest lying down on the ground looking towards the East and look at the sky above you to view the Lyrids.
When to view the Lyrids
The best time to view the Lyrids is after nightfall and before dawn.Location in the sky
The Lyrids meteor shower is not visible at this time of year. The best date is around 22 Apr 2015, table below is for that date:| Lyrids meteor shower for Bangkok (Night between 21 Apr and 22 Apr) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Azimuth/Direction | Altitude |
| Tue 22:00 | 57° | 1.9° |
| Tue 23:00 | 60° | 14.1° |
| Wed 00:00 | 61° | 26.8° |
| Wed 01:00 | 60° | 39.5° |
| Wed 02:00 | 55° | 51.9° |
| Wed 03:00 | 44° | 63.1° |
| Wed 04:00 | 17° | 70.8° |
| Wed 05:00 | 338° | 70.2° |
Set your location
How to view the Lyrids
There isn’t a lot of skill involved in watching a meteor shower. Here are some tips on how to maximize your time looking for the Lyrids:- Get out of the city to a place where city and artificial lights do not impede your viewing
- If you are out viewing the shower during its peak, you will not need any special equipment. You should be able to see the shower with your naked eyes.
- Carry a blanket or a comfortable chair with you - viewing meteors, just like any other kind of star gazing is a waiting game, and you need to be comfortable. Plus, you may not want to leave until you can’t see the majestic celestial fireworks anymore.
- Check the weather and moonrise and moonset timings for your location before you leave, and plan your viewing around it.
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