Up to 15 shooting stars per hour: Earth passes through the Lyrid meteor shower trail
On the night of April 21 to 22, people on Earth will be able to observe the Lyrid meteor shower — up to 15 bright meteors per hour, especially during the pre-dawn hours.
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From April 21 to 22, Earth passes through the dust stream of Comet Thatcher, causing the annual Lyrid meteor shower, reports NASA.
In the Northern Hemisphere, up to 15 meteors per hour will light up the sky, especially in dark areas far from city lights.
The best time to watch is after 10:30 PM local time until dawn, when activity peaks — around 5 AM.
The Moon, in a waning crescent phase (27%), will rise around 3:30 AM, but will interfere only slightly with visibility.
Astronomers recommend lying on your back, looking up, and facing east. Some Lyrid meteors may leave bright trails visible for several seconds. NASA tracks such events to study comet structures and protect satellites.
On the night of April 21 to 22, residents of Ukraine will be able to see Lyrid meteors — in clear weather and away from city lights. The best time to watch is before dawn, when the shower will be at its peak.
It was also reported that the James Webb Space Telescope has delivered two new impressive images of the star-forming region NGC 604 in the Triangulum Galaxy, allowing scientists to peer into previously hidden star birth processes.