“Lyrids Meteor Shower Peaks April 21/22 - Associated Content” plus 1 more

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Lyrids Meteor Shower Peaks April 21/22 - Associated Content Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:11 AM PDT The Lyrids meteor shower peaks after midnight on April 21 and continues through the early morning hours of April 22, but can be viewed after midnight until the April 26th. This shower typically produces 10 to 20 fast moving meteors per hour with dust trails that remain visible for several seconds. Meteors appear nearly as bright at the brightest stars in the big dipper creating a brilliant burst of light. An early setting quarter moon promises dark skies for viewing. Although considered an average meteor shower, Lyrids Meteor Showers are unpredictable and have produced spectacular shows on several occasions. According to Meteor Showers Online the reason for sudden bursts of meteors is unknown. Each year holds the potential for a repeat performance. NASA reports that over 90 meteors per hour were reported in 1982 when viewers observed a sudden burst of meteors during the Lyrids showers. Accounts dating back to 1803 claim a flurry of activity. Andrew Fazekas reports in National Geographic News that astronomer Anthony from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles stated that "In 1803 the shower produced about a thousand meteors per hour" NASA Science News also reports a spectacular display in 1803 as reported by eyewitnesses "starry meteors seemed to fall from every point in the heavens, in such numbers as to resemble a shower of sky rockets..." and notes that one observer counted 167 meteors in 5 minutes. Although a fiery display of this magnitude is not predicted to occur this year, scientists are unable to determine the cause of the increased activity in prior years making prediction of actual numbers of meteors difficult. Based on average Lyrids Shower activity, viewers can expect 10 to 20 bright meteors per hour during the predawn hours. Named for the constellation they radiate from, the Lyrids Meteor Showers radiate from the constellation Lyra located in the north eastern sky. Viewing Tips: Dress warmly. Night time temperatures drop quickly at this time of year and may feel even colder if wind is present. For prolonged nighttime viewing protective clothing is required. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Earth Day 2010 Kicks Off With Lyrid Meteor Shower - myfoxny.com Posted: 22 Apr 2010 06:23 AM PDT (CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Earth Day 2010 kicked-off with a spectacular Lyrid meteor shower in all of its glory in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday. According to NASA , early risers who were lucky enough to witness the spring meteor shower as it reached its peak on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, got to see about 15 meteors per hour between 2 and 5 a.m. on April 22. "The best way to observe the show is to recline comfortably, facing anywhere from north to east and gazing nearly overhead," an astronomer for the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Anthony Cook told NationalGeographic.com . "The best location is a region far from urban light pollution with a fairly open horizon." While this annual event has appeared in the Northern Hemisphere every April for approximately 27 centuries, this year it made Earth Day extra special, reports Space.com . The Lyrid meteor show began on April 16 and will continue until April 25, but the greatest number of shooting stars was forecast for Thursday when the first quarter moon had set to give greater visibility. You'll get the best view of a meteor shower away from the city lights, high in the eastern sky two hours before dawn. In the summer you can even plan a camping trip around one of nature's fireworks displays. But don't despair, NASA has announced many more save-the-dates to experience a meteor shower in 2010. The best meteor shower of the year is yet to come on December 14, when Geminids is at its peak with about 50 meteors per hour set to fall at 2 a.m. However, if your kids are keen to take a look the impressive show, it will get going around 9 to 10 p.m. on December 13. If you can't wait until then, you're next best bet is in August, on the night of the 12 to before dawn on the 13 when the Perseids meteor shower hits with 50 meteors per hour. The crescent moon will set in the early evening, so expect dark skies all the way until primo viewing right before dawn. And if you're really eager, on May 6 you'll want to wake-up extra early to see Eta Aquarids meteor shower, with about 15 meteors per hour in the northern hemisphere and up to 60 meteors per hour in the southern hemisphere. But, beware that NASA warns a less than half full moon is likely to severely interfere with viewing. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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