The April Lyrids are one of the most beautiful spectacles that can be seen in the skies in the month of April. More specifically, the well-known meteor shower It is a phenomenon that usually occurs between on April 16 and 26, coinciding with the spring of the northern hemisphere of the Earth. During these dates, our planet approaches the debris zone of the G1 Thatcher, a comet discovered in 1861 that leaves behind a trail of fragments which, upon contact with the earth’s atmosphere, clings and gives the nice visual effect of the shooting stars.
waning moon
However, this year the visibility could be affected by the Moon, which is in its waning phase. But since in spring the Moon rises when sunrise is already well advanced, it will not interfere with the Lyrids, since the angle formed by the ecliptic with the horizon in the pre-dawn period is shallow.
Although this shower of stars began last day 15 and still lasts until April 29, the Lyrids will peak in the evening of Thursday, April 21 through the early hours of Friday, April 22, according to the International Meteor Organization (IMO).
high points
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It is not always easy to glimpse meteors in the sky, especially when we do it in cities or places with high Light pollution. For this reason, experts recommend seeing them from high points or far from the city. Rural areas, beaches or rooftops are good places to watch the rain, as they provide clearer skies.
This year, experts assure that there will be an average of between 10-20 meteors per hour, far from the hundred that have been reached on previous occasions, but some meteors can leave traces of ionized gas that last a few seconds after the meteorite has passed , with a momentary colored tail.