Lyrid Meteor Shower: NASA and astronomy expert give tips on watching from your garden – Mirror Online
Tonight, the moment that stargazing fans have been waiting for will finally take place – the peak of the Lyrid Meteor Shower.
The annual shower takes place every April, but will peak shortly after midnight tonight, providing you with the perfect opportunity to spot a shooting star.
While our advice for seeing the meteor shower would usually be to head to an area with little light pollution, with the coronavirus lockdown still in place, this is likely to be tricky for many Brits.
Thankfully, there are several other things you can do to increase your chance of seeing the Lyrids from home.
Speaking to Mirror Online, Abigail Beall, author of , revealed her top tips for seeing the Lyrid Meteor Shower.
Ms Beall explained: “Make sure you turn off all the lights in your house and any in your garden so you have the best chance of spotting meteors.
“If you haven’t got a good view from your garden you could look out of a window, especially if it’s high up, or even a roof terrace if you’re lucky enough to have one.
“But meteors are bright so light pollution shouldn’t stop you – the main thing is having patience.”
While temperatures across the UK are definitely rising, make sure you wrap up warm.
Ms Beall added: “Get a hot water bottle, a cup of tea or a bottle of wine and get comfy. Use a blanket to lie on the ground or sit in a reclined chair, because your neck might be sore if you’re just standing and trying to stare at the sky.”
Meanwhile, NASA suggests that those wanting to see the meteor shower should head out early to let your eyes adjust.
NASA explained: “Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
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“After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors.”
While the shower will peak shortly after midnight, it should continue on into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
NASA added: “Be patient—the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”
