Lyrid meteor shower: up to 20 meteors per hour on April 21

Message for astronomy enthusiasts: on the night of April 21 to 22, a celestial spectacle awaits you. This is the traditional meteor shower of the Lyrids. An appointment not to be missed, especially since clear skies are expected over the entire territory…

On Thursday, April 21, up to 20 meteors per hour can be observed once night falls. Plus, you may have already had a chance to attend the show, as the Lyrids will be on display from this Saturday, April 16, and through next Monday. This iconic spring swarm occurs when Earth passes through the tail of a comet. When the debris enters our atmosphere, it burns up, leaving traces visible to the naked eye in the air for several seconds.

How to observe the Lyrids?

Here’s an announcement that should delight early birds: The meteors should preferably be observed at the beginning of the night, ie from 9:30 pm. To maximize your chances of seeing as many shooting stars as possible, go to a quiet, clearing away from any light pollution (car headlights, street lights, etc.).

Then turn green to the east, looking low to the horizon, toward the constellation Lyra. To find it, look for the “summer triangle” formed by three bright stars: Vega, Altaïr, and Deneb. Because the swarm is very low, there is no need to lie on the ground. You can enjoy the show sitting or standing and without binoculars.

Photo: Pixelk/Wikimedia Commons

If you can’t attend this celestial ballet, know that the Lyrids will give you an appointment until next week. And so as not to miss anything this year, now is the time to observe shooting star showers in 2022.

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