Lyrid Meteor Shower 2012

[autumnstars]

Does everyone else have grand plans for the meteor shower the next few nights?
With a new moon, conditions will be perfect for the best viewing possible.
We are planning to go out to the Kelso Dunes, which isn't too far, but far enough to be dark.
Will be my first meteor shower where it's not freezing cold!

[azbackpackr]

I wonder if it is viewable in Costa Rica? I could just go out on the beach, if it's not cloudy. We are coming into the rainy season, and there have been a lot of clouds lately.

[PatrickL]

I wish I didn't have to work the following morning, otherwise I'd go all out for this. I'll see if I can catch some on Saturday night.

Thanks for the reminder.

[autumnstars]

Well, a disappointing showing for us.
But the stars were amazing, so it was nice to lay in my sleeping bag looking for meteors.
Hope the next one will be a bit better, but still a fun excuse to drive to the dunes and stay up all night.

[SkyIslander18]

Well, a disappointing showing for us.
But the stars were amazing, so it was nice to lay in my sleeping bag looking for meteors.
Hope the next one will be a bit better, but still a fun excuse to drive to the dunes and stay up all night.

Same here, spent 6 hours out at Roper Lake State Park and was disappointed with the shower (only saw 2), but it was nice lying in the lounger all night staring at the stars in the very cool temps!

[azbackpackr]

Only two? That's fewer than I would normally see on an ordinary summer night. I'd say it was a no-show. You are going to see at least 3 to 5 meteors per hour on any night of the year, if you're in very dark clear area. I always do see about that many, (if I can stay awake! How do you stay awake?) An online science encyclopedia says it's an average of 5 per hour. A friend of mine told me that there is a way to identify a sporadic meteor from one belonging to a specific shower such as Lyrids. It has to do with the time, area of sky, and projectory of the meteor. Peak night for Lyrids was April 21, was supposed to be 10 to 20 per hour. So, I'd say you missed the show and that what you were seeing were ordinary sporadics.

[Jim]

Hey, I saw a few on Saturday evening coming down from Mt Lemmon. What do you know.