Lyrid meteor shower. Everything you wanted to know about the Lyrid meteor shower. Quadrantids meteor shower in the constellation Volapsus
At the end of April, astronomers in the northern hemisphere will have the opportunity to observe the Lyrid meteor shower, which is a dusty trail that has been orbiting the Sun for many centuries, the site reports with a link to space.com.
Astronomers will have a chance to see the Lyrid meteor shower in the sky between April 16 and April 25, 2017.
The best day to see the Lyrid meteor shower will be Saturday, April 22, said NASA meteor expert Bill Cook. Like most meteor showers, peak viewing time will be before dawn.
On average, the Lyrid meteor shower produces 15 to 20 meteors per hour, Cook said. In some years, the meteor shower intensifies and can produce up to 100 meteors per hour, a phase of meteor shower activity called a "burst", but it is difficult to predict exactly when this will happen.
"Some believe there is a pattern in the frequency of outbreaks, but the available data does not support this. Although the average period between these outbreaks is 30 years, this is only an average; the actual number of years between outbreaks varies," Cook said.
Where to see the Lyrid meteor shower
The radiant, the point from which the meteors will appear, will be high in the evening sky in the constellation Lyra northeast of Vega, one of the brightest stars visible in the night sky at this time of year. Try to look beyond the radiant point, because then you might miss the long tails.
According to information collected by JoinFOMEdia journalist Olya Lexi, the new moon will appear only a few days later, on April 26. This is very fortunate because moonlight will not interfere with viewing the bright tails of meteors that they leave in the night sky. It's best to view this spectacle away from city lights, where the sky is usually much darker, so the meteor shower will appear much brighter.
"The Lyrid meteor shower is moderately bright, not as bright as the famous one in August, which tends to leave brighter trails," said Bill Cook.
What Causes the Lyrid Meteor Shower
The Lyrid meteors are small fragments of Comet Thatcher. This comet is a long-period comet, orbiting the Sun approximately once every 415 years. Debris and dust left behind by the comet's many orbits create the Lyrid meteor shower every year. Comet Thatcher's most recent perihelion, or closest approach to the sun, was in 1861. It will not return until 2276.
Meteor showers occur when the Earth crosses the path of a comet, colliding with cometary debris. That's why they occur around the same time every year, and come from specific points in the sky. When meteors burn up in the atmosphere, they leave bright streaks in the sky, usually called "shooting stars."
"The Lyrid meteors travel quite fast - although not as fast as the Leonids meteors, which peak in November," says Bill.
The largest number of meteors from the Lyrids, like most showers, is observed in the early morning hours, when the radiant rises highest. The constellation Lyra rises highest above the horizon at 4 a.m. local time. Late in the evening it is more advantageous to observe while lying down or in a reclining chair with your feet to the east. In the morning hours, as the constellation Lyra rises higher, it is beneficial to point your feet to the north, west or south and observe approximately 50-60 degrees above the horizon. You should not look directly at the radiant because the meteors will not be long and fainter ones may be missed.
The position of the radiant R Lyrid in the middle latitudes of Russia on April 22 at about 4 o'clock local time.
For ease of orientation, the figure shows the “Summer Triangle”, which is an asterism in the form of a triangle of three bright stars: Vega (α Lyrae), Deneb (α Cygnus) and Altair (α Eagle).
Binoculars and telescopes are useless when observing meteor showers , as they limit the field of view to a few degrees. Meteors can be seen with the naked eye! Only if the meteor leaves a dust trail behind it will it be useful to observe through binoculars how the trail will bend and dissolve within a few minutes under the influence of atmospheric currents.
The Lyrids are very obstinate: the usual values of 15-20 meteors per hour alternate in an unpredictable way with bursts in the observed number of meteors, not only from year to year, but also during one night. The changing activity of meteor showers is explained by the fact that the particles in the streams are unevenly distributed along an elliptical orbit that intersects the Earth's.
It is the oldest star shower and can be traced back to 687 BC in historical records. The last powerful stellar storms were seen in the USA in 1803 (700 meteors per hour) and in Ukraine in 1922 (more than 2000 meteors per hour). The last short burst of Lyrid activity (ZHR=90) occurred in 1982 over the United States.
If the Lyrids are intense this year, we may see particularly bright fireball meteors. They sweep across the entire sky like sparkling balls with a bright trail, causing objects on the ground to cast shadows.
Bright fireball from the Lyrids
What kind of star shower will there be this year? The only way to know for sure is to go outside and look. To enjoy the spectacle in the city, you need to move away from street lighting and find a sky unobstructed by buildings for a good view, otherwise you risk not noticing a single meteor.
Happy Lyrid sightings!
Based on materials from Astronet
Each of us at least once admired the stunning spectacle of star rain. Knowing the dates of starfalls in 2017 in advance, you will be able to make the most of these events and not miss a single star shower.
For a long time, starfall has been considered a mystical event, captivating with its beauty and grandeur. Contemplation of the starry sky helps to achieve inner harmony, and when you see a shooting star, you can make any wish that will surely come true.
Quadrantids in January 2017
Lyrids starfall in spring 2017
This year the Lyrid shower should be expected in April, from the 16th to the 25th. The constellation Lyra has been giving us this stunning spectacle for several centuries. In 2017, the peak of the meteor shower will occur on April 21, and the overall intensity of meteor falls will decrease compared to last year.
Energetically, this April starfall is perfectly compatible with the fulfillment of desires related to self-development and creativity. At this time, it will be easiest to start learning a new hobby or gain useful skills.
When will the Aquarids starfall occur?
Aquarids are a meteor shower divided into three types:
- Eta Aquarids: The shower can be seen from April 19 to May 28, 2017;
- Delta Aquarids: Meteor shower runs from July 12 to August 23;
- Iota Aquarids: This meteor shower will begin on July 1 and end on September 18.
The energy of the Aquarids starfall is extremely strong: this meteor shower brings fundamental changes, inspiration and love. During these three starfalls, you can fulfill your deepest desire and completely change your life and destiny.
2017 Perseid meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower is the most famous and brightest. In the coming 2017, it can be seen from July 18 to August 24, and the peak of activity with the fall of more than 250 meteors per hour will reach August 11-12. It is better to admire this spectacle of incomparable beauty away from the city and sources of street lighting: the ideal solution would be a trip to the village or a country trip with an overnight stay in nature.
The energy of the Perseid meteor shower is extremely powerful and requires careful handling. For example, astrologers recommend that during this period of time you carefully weigh your every word and even thought, since such a bright starfall can attract into your life absolutely everything that you say or think about while experiencing strong emotions. At this time, empathy will help more than ever: you will be able to better understand those around you and avoid many troubles.
Draconids in autumn 2017
The Draconid glow can be observed annually from October 7 to 12: although this meteor shower is very brief, it is unusually bright and has a strong energy. This year, the peak of starfall activity will occur on October 8, and the intensity will reach 20 meteors per hour.
The Draconids were given to us by the constellation Draco, and on a subtle level they extremely sharpen the sense of justice. During this period, it is extremely easy to “break the woods”, unable to cope with your own emotions, or to fall into melancholy from the general injustice of the world. Astrologers and psychics recommend not starting new businesses and not making fateful decisions at this time. You can take care of yourself and your needs, give warmth, care and attention to your loved ones, and also pay more attention to the beauty around you.
Orionid meteor shower
This starfall is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful. The Orionids in 2017 will begin their movement on October 2 and end around November 7-8. The speed of falling meteors in the stream is very fast, and the intensity of the meteor shower will reach 15-20 meteors per hour.
The energy of the Orionids is tough, fast, impulsive. Emotions will break through even in the most restrained and cold-blooded people, feelings will be intense, and words will be hot and sincere. Try to be frank with yourself and your loved ones at this time, because sometimes a frank conversation can correct even the most difficult situation.
Leonids in 2017
Typically, the Leonids are far from the brightest meteor shower: the flow rate reaches no more than 10 meteors per hour. But this year we'll see a spike in this meteor shower, which occurs every 33 years. The Leonids will be much brighter than usual, and the rate of meteor showers could reach 20-30 per hour. Such a spectacle will be beautiful in the cold autumn sky: you can watch the starfall from November 8 to November 28, 2017.
Energetically, the Leonids perfectly contribute to creative inspiration: at this time poetry is best written, paintings are created and the art of meditation is comprehended. Don’t be afraid to create and express yourself: your work will bring very real results.
When can you see the Geminids in 2017?
The Geminids are a major stellar shower that ends the calendar year. It will be possible to observe this meteor shower from December 4 to 17, and it will reach its peak of activity on the 13-14th. This time the shower will pass through the constellation Gemini: this means that the meteor shower will be best seen in the Northern Hemisphere.
The energy of the Geminids will contribute to restorative practices and the fulfillment of desires: at this time, the beginning of any creative process will be especially good and successful. Try to look for answers about your purpose and path at this time: the energy of the meteor shower will help you receive comprehensive information at the subconscious level.
The starry sky contains many attractive secrets, and only some of them have been unraveled by astronomers and astrologers. It is no secret that the stars directly influence our lives, and for it to be happy, it is necessary to be in harmony with lunar and stellar energy. Will be a good help with this
In 2017, the peak of the starfall falls on April 21-22, but the chances of making a wish among the inhabitants of the Earth remain almost until the end of the month.
Where, when and how
The Lyrid meteor shower can be observed from anywhere on the globe, but residents of the northern hemisphere, particularly Europe, will witness a brighter and more colorful spectacle.
The shower will peak on April 22, although isolated meteors have been visible since Sunday. This year the star shower will not be the most impressive, despite this, astronomers recommend not to miss this spectacular event.
Shooting stars will be best seen after midnight and before sunrise. The intensity of the meteor shower varies from year to year, with up to 15-20 meteors per hour expected this year.
The best way to see a meteor shower is to make sure you are away from any light source. You can observe a starfall without special equipment - flying meteors can be seen with the naked eye, you just need to raise your head to the constellation Lyra.
Moreover, you need to look not at the radiant itself, but slightly to the side from this point. The longest and brightest meteors are observed far from the radiant.
The Lyrid meteors are white and quite fast. They do not have noticeable tails, but are characterized by bright flashes. Meteors shoot out from a radiant that is actually an optical illusion.
Meteors move along parallel trajectories, but their flight appears as if they originate from a single point, just as parallel roads appear to converge at a single point beyond the horizon.
The moon at this time is in its last quarter phase, which will appear over the horizon only after 4:30 am, so it will practically not interfere with the night and morning observation of the first spring starfall.
The evenings are chilly, so dress warmly and make yourself as comfortable as possible. If desired, you can use sun loungers or sleeping bags. Spend at least 30 minutes outside to get used to the darkness.
Once you have chosen a location, look up, select a section of the sky and watch it, and they (meteors) will begin to appear. Meteors, as a rule, fly by in flashes and jerks with slight lulls between them.
By the way, pay attention to whether the meteor leaves a persistent ionized gas trail that glows for several seconds after the meteor passes.
Astronomers say that about a quarter of Lyrid meteors actually leave such trails.
Lyrids
Starfall is an unusually beautiful phenomenon that everyone dreams of seeing and making a wish accordingly. The nature of this phenomenon has interested astronomers since ancient times. Meteor showers are named not by the comets that gave birth to them, but by the constellations where the radiant is located.
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known starfalls and are named after the constellation Lyra. The radiant of the April shower lies on the border of the constellations Lyra and Hercules, but closer to Lyra.
Historical records show that people have been observing the Lyrids for more than 2,700 years - the ancient Chinese are believed to have observed "stars falling like rain" in March 687 BC.
And in April 1803, a real rain of meteors swept over the territory of the North American continent, which seemed to fly directly from the center of the Lyra constellation - the number of shooting stars reached 700 per hour.
Since then, the Lyrids have become a rather weak celestial show, but there are surprises that keep interest in this phenomenon.
So in 1922, the Lyrids again surprised astronomers and rained stars on the earth with an intensity of 1800 meteors per hour, and in 1982 they again showed activity, although much less - no more than 100 meteors per hour.
For several years now, astronomers have been trying to predict the possible intensity of the Lyrids this year or somehow explain the irregular bursts of their amazing activity. So far they have not succeeded.
Why
The source of the Lyrid meteors is Comet Thatcher - every year, in the second half of April, planet Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1), that is, passes through the dust left over from the comet.
Comet Thatcher last visited the inner solar system in 1861 and is not expected to return until 2276, as it orbits the Sun once every 415 years.
Pieces of rock ejected by this comet bombard the Earth's upper atmosphere at a speed of 177 thousand kilometers per hour.
The Lyrids are considered one of the most powerful meteor showers, along with the August Perseids and December Geminids. On rare occasions, Lyrid meteors can bombard the sky with nearly 100 meteors per hour.
The material was prepared on the basis of open sources.
