The lyrids April are one of the most beautiful shows that can be seen in the skies in the month, and this year, they also coincide with the Sant Jordi day to give it a more magical air. the known meteor shower It is a phenomenon that usually occurs at this time, in mid-April, and this time it has been extended and will also be visible where the sky is clear in places where it is spring in the northern hemisphere of the Earth.
Until next April 25, our planet is approaching the waste zone of the g1 thatcher, a kite discovered in 1861 that leaves behind a trail of fragments that, upon contact with the earth’s atmosphere, it turns on and gives the nice visual effect of the shooting stars.
The Lyrids reach speeds of up to 200,000 kilometers per hour and this year they will fall at a rate of 18 shooting stars per hour at peak times, although there have been years when they have fallen as fast as 90 per hour.
colored tail
These meteors are notable for being brighter than other meteor showers because they leave trails of ionized gas that linger for a few seconds after the meteor has passed, with a momentary tail of color.
And this is an excellent year for the observation of the Lyrids, since their moment of maximum activity will take place two days after the new Moon (the new moon will take place on April 20).
The maximum rain activity is therefore expected for the night from April 22 to 23day of Sant Jordi. As the moon is changing to the first quarter -a phase it will reach on the 27th-, its thin silhouette will not have the necessary brightness to prevent observation in optimal conditions throughout the night.
high points
Related news
It is not always easy to glimpse the 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, since it is guaranteed clearer skies.
The best way to observe meteor showers is to take a simple view, without binoculars or telescopes that limit the field of vision. «It is advisable to direct your gaze towards the darkest areas, in the opposite direction to the position of the moon if the observation is made when it is present. The most comfortable thing is to lie down and wait for your eyes to get used to the dark», advise from the National Astronomical Observatory english.