Lyrid meteor shower could feature fireballs - Los Angeles Times

Lyrid meteor shower could feature fireballs

If you're headed to the mountains this summer, you might just want to bring a camera. The Lyrid meteor shower could put on a good show and could even feature some fireballs.

The meteors are named after the constellation Lyra, which is located in the southern sky. The best time to watch the Lyrid shower is from mid-June to August. You can see the greatest number of meteors from mid-June to July, which is during the peak season.

The best places to view the meteor shower are from a dark location far away from any light pollution. You can find these “sweet spots” near the popular ski resorts in New Mexico and Arizona. The best spots are on top of the mesas, where the sky is crystal-clear and the air is thin. From there, you can see the entire southern sky, including the constellation Lyra.

The best locations for viewing the Lyrid shower are in the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and the Superstition Wilderness in Arizona. If possible, try to visit both spots. They are both within a few hours' drive of Phoenix. The more you know!

What is a meteor shower?

Meteors are small pieces of rock that enter the Earth's atmosphere. When they reach the atmosphere, they become glowing objects, which are then visible to the naked eye or camera. Most meteors burn up in the atmosphere before hitting the ground but some of them may fall as far as thousands of miles from the point of origin.

Meteor showers are caused by the Earth moving through space. Every orbit the Earth makes around the sun, it travels farther away from the sun. This means that it takes longer for the Earth to make a complete orbit, which affects how long it takes for the Earth to pass through the meteor shower. During this time, the Earth is moving away from the sun and toward the constellation Lyra. This is why the meteors are named after the constellation Lyra.

When the Earth returns to the same part of its orbit, it will pull back on the dust and debris in its wake. This will cause a meteor shower, similar to what happens with the Perseid meteor shower in the northern hemisphere.

Why are the Lyrid meteors special?

The Lyrid meteor shower is special because there are some really good viewing opportunities. Not only is the sky in many places truly spectacular, but the temperature is usually agreeable, which makes it ideal for viewing from there. The best time to view the Lyrid shower is from June to August, which is when the temperature is still tolerable and the air is not yet stifling. You can walk outside and feel yourself barely needing a jacket.

The best viewing locations for the Lyrid meteor shower are in the New Mexico and Arizona regions. If possible, try to visit both spots. The Carlsbad Caverns are a great example of a place where you can see the shower from both above and below ground. The supernature trail at the Cave of the Winds is another great spot, which is accessible only by car or hiking trail. From either of these locations, you can see the spectacular sweep of the southern sky, which is truly unique and worth the effort to visit. The Superstition Wilderness in Arizona is also a great place to see the meteor shower, especially during the peak season. This is one of the most important wilderness areas in the country, which was established over a century ago. Today, it is a popular stop for hikers, boaters and campers. The best time to visit the Superstition Wilderness is in the late summer, when the temperatures are still tolerable and the nights are not yet too warm. The best places to view the meteor shower are from the top of the mesas, which you can access either by road or trail.

While the Lyrid meteor shower is certainly unique, it is not particularly strong. According to EarthSky, an average of only 10 to 20 meteors per hour are visible to the naked eye. This means that you might have to wait a while to see even a few meteors. However, if you use a camera, you may see a few hundred fireballs per hour. The good news is that this is also the best time of year to see them. From June to August, you will definitely see a greater number of meteors than in any other time of the year.

When is the best time to watch the Lyrid meteor shower?

The best time to watch the Lyrid meteor shower is from mid-June to August. This is the period from when the Earth makes its closest approach to the sun to when it returns to the same part of its orbit. So, from mid-June to August, the Earth is pulling away from the sun and toward the constellation Lyra. This is why the meteors are named after this constellation. In August, the Earth is at its furthest point from the sun and the number of meteors begins to decline. After that, it starts increasing again as the Earth circles back toward the sun. This is why the best time to view the Lyrid meteor shower is in the spring and summer.

During this time, it is still cool enough for the ground to be a bit damp but not wet. While you are more likely to see some showers in the spring and summer, you can still see some in the winter. However, the best time to see a meteor shower is in the summer, because it is the season when the meteors are brightest. In terms of temperature, it gets a bit chilly for hiking but still fine for a stroll and pictures taken outside are not overly affected.

Since the Earth is moving, it means that some of the stars are not seen as clearly as others. This is why the best places to see the meteor shower are not located in the northern parts of the U.S. The light pollution from cities and towns in these areas prevents the sky from appearing dark and full of stars. On the other hand, the sky in the southern parts of the U.S. is truly awe-inspiring and allows for some amazing skywatching. If possible, visit the southern states during the summer to see the greatest number of meteors. For more on the Lyrid meteor shower, visit EarthSky or the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP).