See Lyrids meteor shower this month

Also a good view of Mars below crescent Moon in April

THIS month there is a meteor shower, the Lyrids, which peak on April 22 and 23.

In the sky they will appear to originate near the bright star Vega (look north west towards the horizon).

There are expected to be around 10 to 20 meteors visible per hour and the Moon is only half lit on this date, so we have quite favourable conditions this year and they are worth a look. Meteors appear when the Earth travels through debris left by a comet, in this case comet Thatcher which last came close to the sun in 1861.

Three planets are easy to spot this month.

Saturn and Jupiter have been visible low in the south just above the Moon at 6am on the last couple of days and Mars will be just below a thin crescent Moon at 9pm on April 17. n Find out more about astronomy via Newbury Astronomical Society which hosts monthly meetings for both beginners and experienced astronomers.

See www.newburyastro.org.uk Questions: tonyhersh@ hotmail.com