THE LYRIDES WILL SPIN THE SKY TONIGHT

Comet dust

Like every year in April, our planet crosses the path of comet C / 1861 G1 Thatcher in its stellar journey. From this meeting, shooting stars are born which will streak our sky with a very particular intensity.

This year, the culmination of this phenomenon called the Lyrids will take place on the night of Tuesday, April 21. It will thus be possible to observe up to 20 shooting stars per hour.

Originally, the Lyrids are dust left by this comet in its wake.

These small meteors then “ignite” when they enter our atmosphere at more than 49 km / s according to NASA.

Peak activity around 6:40 am

The rain of shooting stars from the Lyrides can be watched all night from 0:40 am Paris time.

However, the International Meteor Organization (IMO) specifies that the peak of activity could actually take place around 6:40 am on April 22. Better to get up early to enjoy it!

In addition, unlike the rain of 2019, we will not be bothered by the brightness of the Moon which is close to its new phase and therefore invisible for the moment.