Lyrid Meteor Showers: When and Where to Watch

If the weather and a full moon don't stop you from catching the spring celestial show that the Lyrid meteor showers bring, astronomers say they can still be as interesting to watch as the annual Perseids in August.

The Lyrid meteor showers come as a result of the earth passing through the tail of the Comet Thatcher, according to Space Weather.

This year the shower is expected to peak on Monday morning, April 22, with 10 to 10 meteors per hour and as high as 100 per hour expected. However, that's under ideal conditions: clear skies, far from city lights, with no sources of glare in the sky.

Unfortunately, the moon will be nearing its full phase on the best night, so it may require you setting your alarm to catch the show a couple of hours before dawn sometime in the days ahead.

If you need a little map to direct your gaze toward the Lyrids, Universe Today provides a nice view of the sky.

The good news is that locally, our weather could cooperate by the weekend, with the seven-day forecast showing partly cloudy conditions that could offer a window to the night sky.

If the stars align (pardon the pun), here's the best viewing strategy: Dress warmly. Bring a reclining chair, or spread a thick blanket over a flat spot of ground (with our recent rains, we'd also suggest a waterproof layer). Lie down and look up somewhat toward the east.

Where is your favorite place in Greenfield to watch meteors? Konkel Park? Somewhere else?