Lyrid meteor shower peak approaches: How to watch it in the Upstate, peak viewing times
A medium strength meteor shower known as the Lyrids will soon rain down in the Northern Hemisphere.
And the most exciting part is that South Carolinians will be able to see it.
Here's more to know about the meteor shower and peak times for viewing.
The Lyrids are one of the "oldest known meteor showers" that have been observed for 2,700 years, according to NASA Science. The Chinese were the first to keep record of the Lyrid sighting, dating to 687 BC.
"The Lyrids are known for their fast and bright meteors. Though not as fast or plentiful as the famous Perseids in August, Lyrids can surprise watchers with as many as 100 meteors seen per hour," said NASA Science.
Lyrids don't usually leave a trail of "glowing dust trains" behind them as they travel across the Earth's atmosphere, but S.C. residents will still be able to catch glimpse of a "fireball," a bright flash produced by the shower.
The Lyrids will peak in the Upstate on April 21-22 (Spartanburg), per Date and Time. During this time, there will be up to 18 meteors per hour.
Like most meteor showers, the Lyrids can be seen best when the radiant (where the meteors appear to start) is highest just before dawn, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. To see the most meteors, you should try viewing the meteor shower between midnight and dawn. The Almanac also recommends looking straight above you in the sky (the zenith) as your starter point. You will not need binoculars or any other equipment for viewing.
"In fact, binoculars do not work well for meteor showers." said the Almanac. "The naked eye is your best tool!"
Other tips the Almanac suggests are to be in a dark place void of lights and obstructions such as trees or tall buildings. You should also find a spot that offers a wide view of the sky. Overall, the best viewing of the Lyrids will be weather dependent, with clear skies optimal for sky gazing.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What is the Lyrid meteor shower? Peak times to view it in Upstate SC
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