Current:Home > FinanceLyrid meteor shower to peak tonight. Here's what to know -Wealth Nexus Pro
Lyrid meteor shower to peak tonight. Here's what to know
View
Date:2025-04-16 00:59:00
Look up, astronomy fans: The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak overnight Sunday into Monday, according to NASA.
The moon will be in its waxing gibbous stage as the full moon nears, which will make it difficult to see meteors. Even in ideal conditions away from city lights, only a few meteors per hour are expected to be visible to the naked eye.
"For a dedicated observer, it may still be worth spotting members of one of the oldest known meteor showers – the Lyrids have been observed for 2,700 years," NASA wrote in a post.
When and where to see the Lyrid meteor shower
The best time to see the meteor shower is overnight Sunday into Monday. EarthSky recommends viewers go to country locations where the sky is as dark and clear as possible. Viewers should try to place themselves in the moon's shadow to watch.
"If you can block out the sight of the moon, yet still have some sky left for seeing meteors, you might see some of the brightest Lyrids blaze past in the bright moonlight," EarthSky reported. "Remember, even one bright meteor can make your night!"
The Lyrids are known for surges that can bring up to 100 meteors per hour, but viewers are unlikely to see that many this year because of the bright moon, EarthSky notes. Viewers may see 10 to 15 Lyrids per hour in a dark sky with no moon.
What are meteor showers?
Meteors — space rocks that enter Earth's atmosphere — streak through the sky every night. During meteor showers, which happen several times a year, many meteors hit Earth's atmosphere over a short period of time. As the meteors speed through Earth's atmosphere, they leave behind streaks of light caused by glowing, hot air.
While most meteors burn up as they fall, some survive the trip and reach Earth. Those are considered meteorites.
Look up — what else can you see in the sky this spring?
Astronomy fans can check out the Pink Moon this month as April's full moon rises. April's full moon will reach peak illumination at 7:49 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, but it will appear full from Monday morning through Thursday morning, according to NASA. The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for different ZIP codes across the United States.
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is estimated to peak Saturday, May 4 through Sunday, May 5. NASA notes these meteors are known for their speed. There will not be much moonlight interference during the Eta Aquariids meteor shower.
May's full moon, the Flower Moon, reaches peak illumination on May 23.
Aliza ChasanAliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (5)
Related
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Today’s Climate: July 14, 2010
- ‘Trollbots’ Swarm Twitter with Attacks on Climate Science Ahead of UN Summit
- Pruitt Announces ‘Secret Science’ Rule Blocking Use of Crucial Health Research
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Suburbs delivered recent wins for Georgia Democrats. This year, they're up for grabs
- This 15-minute stick figure exercise can help you find your purpose
- What is the Air Quality Index, the tool used to tell just how bad your city's air is?
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Why Vanessa Hudgens Is Thinking About Eloping With Fiancé Cole Tucker
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Omicron keeps finding new evolutionary tricks to outsmart our immunity
- Today’s Climate: July 30, 2010
- Arctic Heat Surges Again, and Studies Are Finding Climate Change Connections
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Shakira Seemingly References Gerard Piqué Breakup During Billboard’s Latin Women in Music Gala
- Paying for mental health care leaves families in debt and isolated
- Flash Deal: Get 2 It Cosmetics Mascaras for Less Than the Price of 1
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
False information is everywhere. 'Pre-bunking' tries to head it off early
How to Clean Your Hairbrush: An Easy Guide to Remove Hair, Lint, Product Build-Up and Dead Skin
It cost $38,398 for a single shot of a very old cancer drug
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
State legislative races are on the front lines of democracy this midterm cycle
What it's like being an abortion doula in a state with restrictive laws
Congress Punts on Clean Energy Standards, Again