On the night of April 22nd to 23rd, residents and visitors of Moscow will be able to enjoy the spectacle of the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower. This was announced by Faina Rubleva, scientific director of the Moscow Planetarium.
She emphasized that this phenomenon can be seen every year in the second month of spring. In 2025, it will occur from April 16th to 25th, with the largest number of meteors expected on the night of April 22nd to 23rd. According to the specialist, up to 18 meteors per hour can be observed at this time.
This year, the viewing conditions are quite favorable because the Moon will be in its last quarter phase and will not interfere. The constellation Lyra rises above the horizon around 05:00, so it is best to start observing in the second half of the night and towards morning.
As dawn approaches, the constellation can be seen above the southern horizon. The expert also noted that meteors will be visible to the naked eye.
To fully enjoy the meteor shower, it is recommended to go outside the city, where bright lights and light pollution from streetlights and buildings will not distract you. The Moon will be in the waning crescent phase, which will allow it not to interfere with the observation of meteors in the dark sky, and you will be able to see them in all their glory.
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, which people have been observing for over two millennia. Its source is the trail left by Comet Thatcher, which approaches our planet approximately once every 415 years. Particles from this trail burn up in the atmosphere, leaving behind bright streaks of light.
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