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Lyrid Meteor Shower to Light Up the Night Sky in Australia Tonight
For Aussies with a love for the stars and a bit of patience, the Lyrid meteor shower will be putting on a beautiful show tonight.
According to NASA, skywatchers can expect to see anywhere from 10 to 20 meteors per hour as the annual Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Astrophysicist and University of Melbourne professor Michele Trenti told NewsWire that while the shower officially begins tonight, the best viewing window will be between 2am and 5am local time. So, if you're planning to step outside and look up, a warm cup of tea and a bit of determination might help.
To catch the most meteors, it's best to find a dark area away from city lights and look towards the northern to northeastern horizon. Give your eyes around 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness—this will help you see the fainter meteors more clearly.
Keep an eye out for brief flashes of light or quick streaks across the sky. The meteors move fast and each one lasts just a second or so, so staying alert is key.
Professor Trenti also explained that while you may not see many meteors at once, there’s still a good chance of spotting a handful if you stay out during the peak hours.
“The Lyrids usually produce around 10 to 20 meteors per hour,” he said. “It’s rare to see multiple at the same time, as each meteor is short-lived.”
The best part? You don’t need any special equipment. The meteor shower is clearly visible to the naked eye and completely safe to watch.
So, whether you're an amateur stargazer or just curious about the night sky, tonight offers a great chance to witness a cosmic event right from your backyard.
