Earth Day Meteor Shower

Source - NASA Science News for April 21, 2015

On April 22nd, at the end of a day devoted to Earth, people can look to the heavens for a beautiful shower of Lyrid meteors.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/21apr_lyrids2015/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rNmmHXEdTc&feature=youtu.be



License: Standard YouTube License

Source - Space Weather News for April 20, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras this week when a solar wind stream and a faint CME are expected to hit Earth's magnetic field in quick succession.  NOAA forecasters estimate a 45% to 65% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on April 21-22.

At the same time, Earth will be passing through a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower.  Sky watchers are already seeing a smattering of late-night fireballs as Earth approaches the diffuse core of the debris stream.  Meteor rates are expected to crest on April 22-23 with as many as 20 Lyrids per hour.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates and observing tips.

Earth Day Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for April 22, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

EARTH DAY METEOR SHOWER: Earth is passing through a stream of debris from ancient Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower.  According to radar data, the shower is peaking today with meteor rates as high as 15 per hour.

Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS:  Did you miss the Easter geomagnetic storm?  Next time get a wake-up call. Geomagnetic storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

The Lyrid Meteor Shower - 2012

Source - Space Weather News for April 21, 2012: http://spaceweather.com

LYRID METEOR SHOWER: The annual Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend on the night of April 21-22 when Earth passes through a stream of debris from ancient Comet Thatcher. Usually the shower is mild (10-20 meteors per hour) but unmapped filaments of dust in the comet's tail sometimes trigger outbursts ten times stronger. This year's peak coincides with a new Moon, so lunar interference will not be a problem.

The promise of a good display has prompted NASA to plan an unusual 3D meteor photography experiment combining observations from the ground, a research balloon, and the International Space Station.  More information, observing tips, and live audio from a meteor radar are available on today's edition of http://SpaceWeather.com

The 3D Lyrid Meteor Shower

Source - NASA Science News for April 18, 2012

Astronomers and astronauts are joining forces for an unusual astrophotography experiment during the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower on April 21st.

FULL STORY: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/18apr_lyrids/

Lyrid Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for April 21, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

LYRID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of dusty debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on April 22nd with as many as 20 meteors per hour, although visibility will be reduced by bright moonlight. The best time to look, no matter where you live, is Friday morning during the hours before local dawn. Visit http://spaceweather.com for live meteor counts and more information.

BIG SUNSPOTS: This week the sun is dotted with several large spots, a situation that will become increasingly common as Solar Cycle 24 intensifies. Our new White Light Solar Observing System allows you to safely monitor these behemoth sources of solar activity. Click here for more information:
http://www.shopspaceweather.com/explore-scientific-white-light-solar-observer-system.aspx

Incredible Pictures of the Sun + A Meteor Shower

Source - Space Weather News for April 21, 2010: http://spaceweather.com

MUST-SEE IMAGES OF THE SUN: At a press conference today, researchers unveiled First Light images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's "Hubble for the Sun." There are huge erupting prominences, crackling solar flares, and gigantic shock waves shown with a clarity ten times better than HDTV. The images must be seen to be believed. Go directly to NASA for the full story:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/21apr_firstlight/

LYRID METEOR SHOWER: The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 22nd when Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). The best time to look is during the hours before dawn on Thursday morning. Forecasters expect as many as 20 meteors per hour. Check http://spaceweather.com for more information.

SPACE WEATHER ALERTS: Would you like to turn your phone into a space weather monitoring system? Sign up for Space Weather PHONE: http://spaceweatherphone.com

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2009

Source - Space Weather News for April 21, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

MORNING METEORS: Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher, the source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on Wednesday, April 22nd, with a display of 10 to 20 meteors per hour over the northern hemisphere. Occasionally, Earth passes through a dense region of the comet's tail and rates surge five- to ten-fold. In 1982, for instance, observers were surprised by an outburst of 90 Lyrids per hour. Because Thatcher's tail has never been mapped in detail, the outbursts are unpredictable and could happen again at any time. The best time to look, no matter where you live, is during the dark hours before dawn on Wednesday morning April 22nd. Visit http://spaceweather.com for full coverage.

LUNAR OCCULTATION OF VENUS: Even if the Lyrids fizzle, there is still something wonderful to see on Wednesday morning, April 22nd. The crescent Moon and Venus are going to have a close encounter of jaw-dropping beauty. Look low and to the east just before sunrise. Observers in western parts of North America will see a lunar occultation: Venus will disappear behind the Moon's limb just after 5 am PDT and reappear again an hour or so later. Details may be found in this Science@NASA story: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17apr_lyrids.htm

Venus Disappears During Meteor Shower

Source - NASA Science News for April 17, 2009

A meteor shower. A crescent Moon. A disappearing planet. These three things will be on display next Wednesday, April 22nd, when the Moon occults Venus during the annual Lyrid meteor shower.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17apr_lyrids.htm?list894285

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