Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks on Wednesday Night in New Jersey

This Earth Day, stargazers will get a treat when the annual Lyrid meteor shower passes over the northern hemisphere.

According to NASA, the optimal viewing time for Northern Hemisphere residents will take place after 10:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 22.

Meteors will be visible until pre-dawn on Thursday.

NASA is predicting 15 to 20 meteors an hour during the astronomical event. No special equipment is needed to view the meteor shower, NASA states on its website.

“Simply find a dark, open sky away from artificial lights,” the agency advises. “Lie down comfortably on a blanket or lawn chair, and look straight up.”

Forecasters at Weather.com are predicting clear skies for the shower in New Jersey.

“Except for scattered clouds, most of the East Coast should have good viewing conditions,” stated Chris Dolce, a weather.com digital meteorologist.

For those who can’t make it outside or who live in an area with obscured skies on Wednesday, NASA will stream the meteor shower online here.

WHAT ARE THE LYRIDS?

According to NASA:

“Lyrids are pieces of debris from the periodic Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher and have been observed for more than 2,600 years. In mid-April of each year, Earth runs into the stream of debris from the comet, which causes the Lyrid meteor shower. The constellation in which the radiant is located gives the shower its name, and in this case, Lyrids appear to come from a point in the constellation Lyra.”

Photo and video courtesy of NASA