Catch The Lyrid Meteor Shower Tonight

With clear skies in the forecast, an overnight low of 51, and a new moon, conditions are in our favor for a great night of meteor watching. The Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks overnight tonight and promises upward of 100 meteors an hour in peak viewing conditions.

I love meteor showers. Every August I round up my family, blankets, and thermoses of hot chocolate to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower, arguably the easiest shower to view because of the ideal summer weather. But there are other showers, notably the Leonids in November, and the Lyrids tonight that produce bigger and brighter meteors.

Here's a couple of tips that will improve your meteor shower watching experience.

Set Your Expectations

It would be amazing to see the sky filled with giant, slow burning meteors that light up the night. The Lyrids, despite being the best shower of the year, aren’t like that. Think of it this way: don’t go in expecting a torrential downpour; instead it’s much more like a light, spring shower. Although the Lyrids are known for producing really big and bright meteors.

Dress Appropriately

Dress warmly. You’ll be outside in the middle of the night and it’s going to get cold. You’re going to want to bring a sweater, a coat, and a few blankets to wrap up in. Hot Cocoa is encouraged.

Get Away From Ambient Light Sources

Everything from the street lights, your front porch light, and even the bright screen on your phone can take away from your viewing enjoyment. If you’re eyes have adjusted to the darkness and you look down at your iPhone screen to check email, your eyes will have to readjust again. Try and find somewhere nice and dark for best enjoyment.

Patience

As with nearly every aspect of astronomy, patience is the key. If you don’t see one in the first five minutes, don’t give up. Your eyes need at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Find a comfortable spot, pick a spot in the sky, and just watch.

More tips from Space.com.

Have fun and enjoy the Lyrids!