By Rod Hill on 2013-04-19
Peak viewing of the Lyrid Meteor Shower occurs this weekend and the weather is expected to deliver partly cloudy to clear skies! Astronomers predict peak viewing April 21 and 22nd. The shower is the result of the earth entering a stream of debris from ancient Comet Thatcher. A typical viewing with good weather conditions will average 5 to 20 meteors per hour. Some years can produce outbursts reaching 100 meteors per hour.
The tail left by Comet Thatcher contains flakes of comet dust, no bigger than grains of sand. The comet dust strikes Earth's atmosphere at speeds of 110,000 mph and disintegrate as steaks of light. Best viewing is to look straight up and slightly to the east. Meteors can be seen in all directions.
Green Light For Planting This Weekend!