Lyrid meteor shower to peak Wednesday night to dawn of Thursday

The Lyrid meteor shower has officially started last week and will reach its peak viewing this Wednesday night up to the early dawn of Thursday.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the shower's peak will be visible depending on the weather in the area of the observer.

PAGASA said that although the meteors will not be numerous, they will be bright and fast.

"The shower typically generates a dozen meteors per hour under optimal conditions," it added.

Masasaksihan ang kasagsagan ng Lyrid Meteor Shower mamayang gabi hanggang bukas ng madaling araw, depende sa kaulapan sa inyong lugar.

Huwag kalimutang i-tag ang @dost_pagasa sa inyong magagandang kuha. #AstroPH

PAALALA: Sumunod po tayo sa quarantine protocols. pic.twitter.com/HalIcOXC0N

— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) April 22, 2020

The weather bureau also said that observers in rural areas will have a higher chance of seeing more of the meteor shower compared to those in the city.

"Nights without a moon in the sky will reveal the most meteors," PAGASA said. "Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky but a good rule of thumb is to actually look off to either side of the shower radiant to catch the meteors in profile."

The Lyrid meteors, coming from the debris of comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher which orbits the sun every 415 years, is projected to return around 2280 AD.

The shower, which started last Thursday, April 16, will end this Saturday, April 25. —Kaela Malig/MGP, GMA News