When is the best time to watch the Lyrid meteor shower?

Sky watchers, hope you’ve been stretching those necks: A Lyrid meteor shower takes place this weekend. Lyrid meteors are named as such because of the paths they take, which appear to diverge from the lower right of the constellation Lyra.

From mid-to-late April you can usually see Lyrid meteors in the sky, but the peak time to watch will be from Saturday night into Sunday morning. By Sunday morning, meteors could be showering at a rate of roughly 10-20 per hour.

NASA recommends waiting until the moon sets at midnight before going out. While you’re looking up, NASA says Jupiter will be visible in the east, but you’ll need a telescope for a decent view.

 

Featured image credit: NASA/JPL

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