When the Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak and how to spot it in Scotland skies
The annual meteor shower is set to peak on Tuesday.
Scots have already enjoyed an array of celestial events this spring, with last weekend's Pink Moon, and even a few more sightings of the Northern Lights over the country. But another event is set to excite the amateur astronomers among us this week.
The annual Lyrid meteor shower will grace our skies this week, peaking on Tuesday (April 22), and it's set to be visible in our night skies until April 25. This stunning event takes place every year in mid or late April, and it can be seen as a series of short bright streaks across the sky.
But what exactly is the Lyrid meteor shower, and how can you give yourself the best chance of seeing it? Here's everything you need to know about this cosmic event.
What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
The Lyrids were first known to be spotted around 2,700 years ago, meaning it is one of the oldest-known meteor showers, explains the BBC.
The Lyrid meteors are formed by debris from Comet Thatcher, discovered in 1861 by A. E. Thatcher, which takes more than 400 years to orbit the sun.
They are named after the constellation Lyra, and their radiant position, which is where the meteors appear to come from, is south-west of the star Vega.
How and when can you see the Lyrids?
This year the Lyrids will be active until April 25 and will peak on Tuesday, April 22.
The BBC recommends that the best time to see the shower is in the early morning of the peak day.
The moon can make it harder to spot the shower, so it's best to avoid looking for the Lyrids while the moon is in the sky.
However, this year, the shower is occurring during the moon's last quarter, meaning viewing conditions should be generally good.
The best time to see the Lyrid meteor shower is when the skies are at their darkest and clearest, so it's advised to stay away from light pollution if you can.
Scotland offers countless incredible dark sky spots, whether you're in the countryside or the city, and Glasgow offers several ideal stargazing spots that are all a short drive away from the city and with little light pollution.
If you're hoping to spot the shower, some patience will be necessary, as it will take around 15-20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the darkness.
Although it may be spring, it's still advised to wrap up warm when going out to see the Lyrids, as nightfall will bring the chill.
Hopefully, we'll see clear skies when the meteor shower is at its peak on Tuesday evening, although some cloud is expected over Scotland, according to Met Office weather maps.
While the day is supposed to be fairly clear, there will be some rainfall later in the day.
The Met Office forecast says: "Tuesday will be a bright day for many, with sunny spells and a scattering of showers. Rain returning to the west later in the day. Feeling warmer for many."
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