Shooting stars in your eyes: how to observe the Lyrids, whose peak of activity is expected this Sunday ?

Jusqu’à 20 étoiles filantes par heure sont attendues durant le pic d’intensité. ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH

The Lyrids mark the start of the shooting star season in the northern hemisphere. The peak of this meteor shower is expected on the night of Sunday 21 to Monday 22. It will be possible to observe up to 20 per hour.

The Lyrids are back! This meteor shower, one of the first of the year, marks the start of the shooting star season in the northern hemisphere.

Every year from mid-April, the Earth encounters the Lyrids swarm. It is during the night of this Sunday 21 to Monday 22 April that the peak of activity of the Lyrids is expected, with up to 20 meteors per hour. ;nbsp;Some can be very bright, and even leave a nice trail behind them.

This is one of the oldest observed cosmic phenomena of this type: the first rains were observed in 687 BC. BC in China, more than 2,700 years ago.

How to observe the Lyrids ?

To not miss anything of the show, you will have to go to bed (very) late or get up (very) early: the best observation slot according to our colleagues at Sciences et Avenir would be between 3 and 4 in the morning, when the night is dark.

It will also be better to be outside of big cities, due to light pollution. Those lucky enough to be in the countryside can hope to benefit from the phenomenon by turning their gaze to the northeast, towards the constellation Lyra. Don't panic if you're not an astronomy expert; the free Stellarium app (available on iOS and Android) will help you spot celestial bodies.

If the conditions are right and the sky is clear enough, no need for telescopes, the shooting stars will be visible to the naked eye.