A meteor shower that looks like "Sky Raining Blood" on Saturday - how to see it
Experts say that the annual event could also "surprise" us with a lot of activities.
Unlike certain major celestial events such as a Comette , meteor showers stand out from being the kind of spectacle that can be appreciated. Some of the annual events are remarkable for their activity, producing dozens of brilliant streaks in the sky every hour. Others are famous for their astonishing viewers. And this weekend, a meteor shower that has been described as resembling "Sky Raining Blood" will hit its peak. Read the rest for more information on how you can see it for yourself.
Read this then: The next total solar eclipse will be the last until 2044, NASA says .
The annual shower of Météores Lyrid is now taking place.
Amateur astronomers may want to take the time to look at The night sky this week. The annual shower of meteors lyrides is now underway, creating a dazzling spectacle Above, this will increase in intensity until this weekend, according to NASA.
The display begins at the end of April of each year while the earth goes through the debris path left behind comet c / 1861 G1 thatcher , which turns by our planet about every 400 years. Like other meteor showers, the tiny particles of dust and rock collide with the atmosphere and burn shiny as they fall. But unlike other major annual showers where "shooting stars" create long sequences across the sky, the shower of meteors Lyrid creates shorter brilliant explosions known as "Fireball", by Nasa.
The annual show is one of the oldest showed meteor showers.
In addition to its unique display, lyrides are also distinguished as one of the oldest showers of meteor in recorded human history. The first observations date back to 687 BCE in China, according to NASA. Since then more than two and a half millennials Memorable dramatic shows For viewers. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
The recorded descriptions of the showers of Météores Lyrid in the past of China and Korea said that the flashes seem to be red in the sky, according to William Cooke , lead for the NASA meteoroid environmental office. And during the screen in 582 CE, the French monks described the spectacle like the sky raining blood.
"Maybe when people go out, they should look for reddish meteors," Cooke told Fox Weather. "I don't know - the heaven that rains blood seems quite dramatic to me."
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There is always the chance that lyrides can take us by "surprise".
While the lyrides are already exposed, the meteor shower is still increasing. The activity will culminate this Saturday, with 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
Even if an optimal vision in each location is always limited to the local weather, the lyrides of this year have a distinct advantage which will improve the experience. Since the moon is only in a thin crescent phase, it will throw less light in the night sky, which facilitates the collection of flashes which should cross.
Cooke also points out that even if the meteor shower is generally not as active as leonids or Perseids later in the year, lyrides can always exceed expectations. In particular, the event saw five times more activity in 1982, 1945 and 1922, while up to 100 meteors were counted per hour, according to NASA.
"From time to time, this meteor shower will surprise us," said Cooke. "So every year, when lyrides roll, I wonder if they will surprise us in terms of rate."
Here is the best way to spot the shower of this year Métrid meteor.
If you want to get the Best viewing experience With lyrides this year, you may want to block a little time this weekend. The best hours of vision will start at 10:30 p.m. Saturday and extend the night until the first hours before dawn, Cooke said to Space.com.
Météores Lyrid's shower bears the name of its "radiant" in the Lyra cancellation, which means that most meteors seem to emanate from this part of the sky. You can locate it by finding the star Vega, which appears to be one of the brightest objects in the sky, according to NASA. However, the "shooting stars" will be visible throughout the night sky.
The best observation environment will be free from light pollution, ideally far from the city or city lights which can make the flashes above. Plan to bring a blanket or a chair that will facilitate the possibility of lying comfortably on the back and taking as much night sky as possible, ideally with your feet oriented towards the East, suggests NASA.
This can also help plan in advance. According to Cooke, your eyes will need about 30 minutes to adapt to darkness, which means that you should also avoid artificial light sources. "Mobile phone screens are brilliant and it will ruin your night vision," he told Fox Weather.
