A meteor shower is expected to light up the UK skies this Thursday evening with up to 18 stars flying through the sky per hour.
The Lyrid meteor shower will appear on Thursday, with astronomers predicting a peak around 1 p.m. Tania de Sales Marques, astronomer at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, told the PA news agency: “Since the peak is during the day, the best time to see this meteor shower will be after sunset. sun and before sunrise the next morning.. This meteor shower is expected to blow up about 18 stars every hour. ”Ms. de Sales Marques added that, because the Moon will be at a fairly low stage. shining in the sky at this time, it is also a very unfavorable condition for the observation of meteors.The crocodile head hunted by Prince Philip in 1957 has been auctioned for up to £ 5,100
Lyrid meteorites are named after the constellation Lyra the Harp, where the shooting stars originate. Meteors are created when rocks or flammable debris enter Earth’s atmosphere, creating long trails of light. These meteors are debris falling from Comet Thatcher, which is expected to return to the solar system in 2276, after an orbital period of 415 years. “The Lyrids have been observed since 687 BC, the oldest record for any meteor shower since. It was a rain of moderate numbers,” said de Sales Marques. Fireballs, experts still call them Lyrid fireballs. “
Those who want to see the meteor shower will also have the chance to spot Vega, Lyra’s brightest star. Vega is one of the brightest stars in the sky and one of three that make up the so-called “Summer Triangle”. “This asteroid will be easily found in the skies before dawn,” said Ms. de Sales Marques.
The Lyrid meteor shower will light up the English sky with 18 fireballs per hour – Photo 4.
The Lyrid meteorite originates from Comet Thatcher and revolves around the solar system with a period of 415 years
Astronomers recommend that anyone who wants to watch the meteor shower go to places as far away from artificial light as possible. Ms de Sales Marques added: “It should be mentioned that asteroids will be visible everywhere in the sky, not just in the direction of the radiation, so to maximize your chances of detecting meteors, try to find a safe place with a clear view. For stargazing you will need to rest your eyes for at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark Lyrids would take place April 16-25 each year.
