A good time to head outdoors as celestial drama continues
Sky-gazers this week can catch two meteor showers and April’s full ‘pink moon.’
Time is running out on the latest celestial show: the Lyrid meteor shower and a full “pink moon.”
The Lyrid, one of the oldest meteor showers, typically peaks during late April, according to NASA. The meteors don’t have glowing dust trains but can occasionally produce fireballs.
The Lyrids are best seen in the Northern Hemisphere after the moon sets and before dawn, according to NASA. The shower is no longer at its most active but will remain visible through Monday, according to the American Meteor Society.
Another meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, is active until May 27, according to Space.com. The peak will come May 4 and in the predawn hours of May 5.
Though the Eta Aquarids are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, they can be viewed north of the equator during their peak, when 10 to 30 meteors can be seen per hour, according to Space.com.
April’s full moon, known as the “pink moon,” crested Tuesday but will appear full through Thursday morning, according to NASA. The moon will not look pink; the moniker comes from a ground-covering flowering plant, moss pink, that’s among the earliest bloomers in the spring.
To get the best view of a meteor shower, find an area away from street lights and buildings, according to NASA. Look at the sky while lying on your back, with your feet facing east. Your eyes will adjust to the dark in about 30 minutes.