Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Monday, April 20th.  The Sun rises at 6:50.  It’ll be up for 13 hours and 43 minutes, setting at 8:33.   The Moon, 2 days past new, will set at 10:57 this evening.

This week the Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak.  The expected peak will be Wednesday the 22nd at 8 p.m. (24 hr UT). Unfortunately the radiant point will not have risen by then.  The radiant, near the star Vega in the constellation of Lyra will rise in the northeast by 10 p.m.  It will approach the zenith by 6 a.m. as morning twilight brightens.  The normal peak hourly rate is about 18 when the radiant is at the zenith,  This year it could be as many as 90 per hour.  However Europe and Asia will be prime locations to view the shower near the  zenith at peak.  The shower is caused by the debris of Comet Thatcher, seen only once in 1861.  When comets approach the Sun they shed gas, dust and small bits of rock.  When the Earth passes through it we get a meteor shower.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Lyrid meteor radiant is near Lyra and the bright star Vega. Th bright star by “Lyr” is Vega. Create by Bob Moler’s LookingUp program.