A Night of Shooting Stars: What to Expect
The Lyrid meteor shower is set to light up the night sky from today, April 15, through to April 25, offering a spectacular show for skywatchers. During this period, observers can expect to see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour, depending on weather and viewing conditions.
A Beautiful Annual Event
The Lyrids are a regular feature of the spring sky, occurring each year between April 14 and April 30. The peak of this year's event is expected to take place during the night of April 15 to 16. On this night, up to 100 meteors could be seen per hour, making it the best opportunity to witness the meteor shower in its full glory.
Understanding the Lyrids: Origin and Name
The meteor shower gets its name from the Lyra constellation, as the meteors appear to originate from this region of the sky. Sandro Correia, from the Madeira Astronomy Association, explains that the Lyrids are caused by small particles entering the Earth's atmosphere and burning up, creating bright streaks of light visible to observers on the ground.
Full Moon May Affect Visibility
While the Lyrid meteor shower offers a captivating spectacle, this year’s full moon may slightly impact visibility. The bright moonlight can obscure the fainter meteors, but those with clear skies may still catch sight of several shooting stars during the event. For the best chance of viewing, experts recommend finding a dark spot away from city lights.
Source: Jornal da Madeira
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