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The Lyrid meteor shower is an annual event that typically occurs between April 16 and April 25. It is one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, with observations dating back over 2,700 years. The Lyrids originate from the comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1) and are named after the constellation Lyra, from which the meteors appear to radiate.
The first recorded observation of the Lyrid meteor shower by the Chinese dates back to 687 BC. This ancient record is significant because it is one of the earliest documented sightings of a meteor shower. The Chinese astronomers described seeing “stars falling like rain” during this event. This early documentation provides crucial historical data, helping astronomers understand the long-term behavior and frequency of meteor showers like the Lyrids. This ancient record from China stands as one of the oldest known records of a meteor shower in human history.
The peak of the Lyrid meteor shower usually provides a spectacle of about 10 to 20 meteors per hour, but in some years, the shower intensifies in what is known as an “outburst” and can produce up to 100 meteors per hour. These meteors are known for their fast and bright appearance, often leaving glowing dust trails that last for several seconds. The best time to view the Lyrids is typically after midnight and before dawn, away from city lights and in clear, dark skies.
****How to watch the meteor shower?
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Watching a meteor shower like the Lyrids can be a spectacular experience. Here are some tips on how to best view the Lyrid meteor shower:
1. Timing: The best time to watch the Lyrids is typically from midnight until dawn. The shower usually peaks around April 22nd, but check specific forecasts for peak activity in your area.
2. Location: Find a dark spot away from city lights. Light pollution significantly reduces the visibility of meteors. National parks or rural areas are ideal for meteor watching.
3. Prepare to Wait: Meteor showers are a waiting game. It can take about 30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark, and the frequency of meteors can be very variable. Plan to spend at least an hour watching to catch a good number of meteors.
4. Comfort: Bring a reclining chair, blanket, or sleeping bag to lie back and look up without straining your neck. Dress warmly, as nights can be cool, especially in rural areas away from city warmth.
5. Avoid Lights: Try to keep your phone and other light sources away to maintain your night vision. If you need light, use a flashlight with red tape over the lens—it’s less disruptive to night vision.
6. Sky Position: Look towards the radiant point from which the meteors appear to originate, which is the constellation Lyra in this case. However, meteors can appear in any part of the sky, so a wide view can help.
7. Patience is Key: Meteor showers can be unpredictable. There may be lulls followed by bursts of activity. Stay patient and keep watching—the sky might suddenly reward you!No special equipment is necessary to enjoy a meteor shower; just your eyes and a bit of patience make for a great viewing experience!
****Why does it happen yearly?
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The Lyrid meteor shower happens yearly because Earth crosses through the same region of space where the debris from Comet Thatcher has been dispersed along its orbit. This debris consists of particles shed by the comet as it approaches the Sun and is warmed, causing ice to vaporize and release dust and rock.
Comet Thatcher orbits the Sun approximately every 415 years, leaving behind a trail of debris each time it passes through the inner solar system. Each year, as Earth orbits the Sun, it intersects with this debris trail at roughly the same spot in its orbit, which typically occurs around April 16 to April 25. When this happens, the debris particles enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, creating the meteor shower we observe from the ground.
This annual encounter with the debris trail of Comet Thatcher is why we see the Lyrid meteor shower at the same time each year.
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世界記錄天琴座流星雨最早出現在春秋左傳：
孔子编修的《春秋》,原文说:鲁庄公七年“夏四月辛卯,夜恒星不见,夜中星陨如雨”。这是在当时鲁国国都曲阜(今山东曲阜)看到的发生于公元前687年的一次流星雨。 对《春秋》中该条记录,《左传》是这样解释的:“夏,恒星不见,夜明也。星陨如雨,与雨偕也。”
4/22 或4/23如天氣許可，應可看到最壯觀的景象。