Lyrid Meteor Shower viewing tips

(KOIN/MEDIA GENERAL) – If you’re going to see clear skies on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, you’ll have a great chance to see the Lyrid Meteor shower, especially if you head away from city lights. You get one shot every year to see the Lyrid shower.

The Lyrid Meteor Shower occurs when the Earth passes through the dusty trail of Comet Thatcher, which causes a meteor shower- the Lyrids. It usually happens around the end of April, says Jim Todd, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Director of Space Science Education.

Viewers can expect to see around 10-20 meteors per hour, at the peak. The meteors will be visible starting around 10 p.m. and throughout the night, with the peak expected closer to dawn. Midnight to dawn will be the best opportunity to catch the shower.

To get the best view, make sure to dress appropriately for cooler overnight weather, set up a spot with a reclining chair or just put a blanket on the ground, and look east. After midnight, direction becomes less important and you want to look high overhead because the meteors can appear to be almost part of the sky.

“Naked-eye viewing is best for meteor watching,” said Jim Lattis, director of the University of Wisconsin Space Place.

If you can’t make it outside on Wednesday evening, a live feed of the shower is available here.