One of the peak days to observe the Lyridi meteor shower this year will be Earth Day, an international holiday in our pale blue dot that raises awareness of environmental protection.
And perhaps there is no better way to celebrate our life-giving planet than to be reminded of the terrifying beauty of outer space – and how small we are compared to them.
On the evening of April 22, by the morning of April 23, the Lyridi meteor shower will be most noticeable. If you are interested in a late evening family walk or you think of yourself as an amateur astronomer, then take out the deck chair and put the car away for a spectacular star sighting.
What are lyrids?
A meteor from the Lyrids is seen on April 22, 2020 over Shermbeck, Germany. Mario Homs / Getty Images
Lyrids are an annual meteor shower that takes place in April.
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According to NASA, the light show we see as shooting stars is actually pieces of cosmic dust that are ejected by comets as they orbit the sun. The Lyridi meteor shower is the result of traces of debris left by comet Thatcher.
As Earth passes through Thatcher’s dusty path, the debris disintegrates as it collides with our planet’s atmosphere, creating fiery and colorful shooting stars.
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Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers in recorded history. The first documented observation of the astronomical event was in 687 by Chinese observers. This means that humans have been enjoying the Lyridi meteor shower for at least 2,700 years.
Comet Thatcher was first discovered and last spotted by Earth in 1861. Its orbital period around the sun is about 415 years, so it will not be seen again until 2276. Until then, we will just have to enjoy its beautiful dust trail in the form of lyrides.
The radiating point for the Lyrids originates from the constellation Lyra, which gives the name to the meteor shower. This means that the Lyride meteors appear to originate from the constellation Lyra (just as the Perseid meteor shower in August appears to come from the constellation Pegasus), especially near the star Vega.
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Tips on how to watch Lyrids from anywhere in Canada
Numerous exhibits have been combined to produce this image of stellar paths observed during the Lyridi meteor shower over Michaelskapelle on April 20, 2020 in Niederholabrunn, Austria. Thomas Kronsteiner / Getty Images
The period between April 21 and April 23 will be the best time to observe the Lyridi meteor shower, with its projected peak at 12 o’clock EDT on the morning of April 22.
The moon is currently in a meandering phase, which means it is still quite large and bright in the sky, making it harder to see the stars. Fortunately, the moon is waning, which means that it will get smaller and smaller every night.
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As a result, the best conditions for watching the stars may be on the evening of April 22 until the next morning or before the moonrise begins every night.
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If you want to watch the Lyrids in the moonlight, it is best to sit in the shade of a tree or a building. More meteors will be seen if you are out of direct moonlight.
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Under ideal conditions, without moonlight, observers can see up to 10 to 15 shooting stars per hour. But the Lyrids are also prone to unpredictable jumps, which can lead to up to 100 visible meteors per hour.
Canadians are very suitable for exploring the Lyrids, as they are most visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
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According to EarthSky, a specialized publication focused on astronomy, the best way to determine where meteors will begin to fall is to look for the star Vega: the radiant point of Lyrida.
Vega begins to rise above the horizon around 21:00 to 22:00 local time in the Northern Hemisphere. Look in the northeast sky to spot it (you can use star charts or any number of night sky apps to help you determine Vega.)
Around midnight, Vega will have risen enough to make the Lyrids move across the northeast sky. Just before dawn, Vega will be high above their heads and shooting stars will look like they are falling from the top of the sky.
Looking stars looking directly at the radiant point of Lyrida near Vega will notice shorter shooting stars. It is best to look northeast, but not directly at Vega, to see longer stripes in the sky.
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Some best practices for general star observation include diligent checking of weather and clouds in your area. Clear skies are important for monitoring meteor showers, so check the conditions in your area before embarking on a potentially long trip to get away from light pollution.
This brings us to our second point – be prepared to drive long distances to get away from urban areas or groups of bright lights. Too much light pollution will prevent even the attempts of professionals to observe meteor showers, as the luminous space dust is too weak to compete with the bright lights of urban Canada.
You can use the DarkSiteFinder’s light pollution map to help you find a place where light pollution won’t interfere with stargazing.
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For most regions of Canada, driving outside of your city or town will be enough to avoid most of the light pollution you can see. However, in the more developed areas of southern and central Ontario and along the St. Lawrence River, residents may have a harder time finding dark places to observe stars.
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For residents of Ontario and Quebec, the best bet is to try a country park to escape the dome of light pollution.
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Our last piece of advice is to be patient.
It is ideal to wait about 30 minutes in a dark place to observe to allow your night vision to develop, which makes it easier to spot shooting stars. During this time, avoid looking at bright lights, as this will reverse the progress you have made to develop better night vision.
If you need to use your phone, try switching it to night mode to filter out blue light and reduce the overall brightness.
Bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket so you can comfortably watch the night sky and be sure to wear several coats if you are in the colder part of the country.
After following all our tips, all you have to do is sit or lie down and enjoy the show.
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