There are many comets that, coming from interstellar space, enter the Solar System in their orbit around the Sun and are detached from the particles of dust and gas that compose them, giving rise to the splendid “meteor shower”. The Lyrids, the second of these astronomical phenomena to occur during the year, will reach their peak of activity during the night of April 21 to 22, although they can also be observed during the following days. To locate them in the night sky, we must look in all directions since their trajectory is unpredictable once they enter the atmosphere.
Comets, interplanetary debris similar to asteroids but of different composition, fall apart as they approach the Sun, leaving a halo of dust and gas behind them, commonly known as a “tail.” When these residues (meteors) penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, they volatilize and generate the luminous flash known as a “shooting star” . The Lyrid meteor shower originates from Comet Thatcher, from the constellation Lyre, which takes 415 years to complete its orbit, which is why it is considered long-term.
Comet Thatcher’s meteors are no larger than a grain of sand and enter our atmosphere at a speed of 175,000 kilometers per hour. They become visible in the first contact with the atmosphere at 100 km altitude, and usually disappear when they reach 50 km in height.
Although bright, these “shooting stars” are highly unpredictable, making it difficult to predict their observation. The rain will be seen from all over the world, although most clearly from the northern hemisphere. The best time will be between midnight and sunrise (local time). An average of 18 meteors will fall per hour, although some year a maximum of 200 has been reached. Astronomers recommend looking at the sky for at least an hour, also taking into account that the crescent moon phase and the cloudy sky can make it difficult to visibility.
