The Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it.
A meteor shower is a special thing.
Watching as little bits of cosmic dust hurtle through the skies above tends to remind me of just how small we are in the context of the universe.
This weekend, people around the world will experience that feeling of smallness, thanks to the Lyrid meteor shower that peaks on April 22.
While this meteor shower isn't the most impressive one during a typical year, it is still worth checking out.
According to a NASA skywatching video, "In the early morning sky, a patient observer will see up to more than a dozen meteors per hour in this medium-strength shower, with 18 meteors per hour calculated for the peak."
"U.S. observers should see good rates on the nights before and after this peak."
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks each year as the Earth passes through the field of debris left behind by the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher as it makes its long trip around the sun.
The meteor shower is actually one of the oldest-known showers, according to NASA. The agency says that the earliest-known recording of the event dates back to China in 687 B.C.E., about 2,700 years ago.
If you want to optimize your chances of seeing some Lyrid meteors, head out away from city lights, into a light pollution free area.
Once you get there, just lie down on your back and let your eyes adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes.
Try to take in as much of the sky as you can, and make sure you have a decent view of the constellation Lyra. (If you need some help figuring out where exactly that is, use a cell phone app like Dark Sky to find it.)
Make sure you bring warm clothes and even a hot drink with you for your night of skywatching. Watching a meteor shower is a game of patience, so bring everything you need for a few hours out in the pre-dawn chill.
That said, you don't need any special skywatching equipment to see the shower, just a clear night and open eyes.
If you're stuck in a city, you still have a chance of seeing some of the brightest Lyrid meteors.
Head into a park, or even use a building to block out as much light as possible to maximize your chances of seeing as many meteors as possible.
Miriam Kramer worked as a staff writer for Space.com for about 2.5 years before joining Mashable to cover all things outer space. She took a ride in weightlessness on a zero-gravity flight and watched rockets launch to space from places around the United States. Miriam received her Master's degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University in 2012, and she originally hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. Follow Miriam on Twitter at @mirikramer.
