How to watch the Lyrids meteor shower

Only a little over a week after one astronomical marvel caused millions of people to look to the skies in awe, a meteor shower is about to dazzle those viewing the night sky.

The Lyrids meteor shower began Monday, according to EarthSky, and will end on April 29. According to NASA, it is among the oldest known meteor showers and is the result of Earth passing through debris from a comet known as Comet Thatcher. From there, the debris collides with the Earth’s atmosphere “where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.”

Here’s how you can view the Lyrids meteor shower:

According to NASA, the Lyrids are “best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the dark hours (after moonset and before dawn).” The agency recommends that people “find an area well away from city lights or street lights.”

“Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair,” the agency continued in a webpage on the Lyrids. “Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient – the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”

The agency also noted that Lyrids “don’t tend to leave long, glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through the Earth’s atmosphere, but they can produce the occasional bright flash called a fireball.”

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