[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

(meteorobs) Re: Meteor Shower [Lyrids] - April 2004

Linda from Otterberg, Germany asks:
> I live in the Kaiserslautern area of Germany and would like to
> observe the meteor showers.  Can you give me any information
> regarding where and approximately when in this area?

Linda, of course you will see meteors all over the sky. So, any
location you have access to, where you feel safe, and one of the
four directions has a clear horizon (no obstructions), AND where
there are FEW LIGHTS - that would be a good place to watch from.

As for when to watch, the peak night is tomorrow (Wednesday) over-
night. But you can see a decent show from the Lyrids even tonight
or Thursday night, as well. So pick whichever night is most likely
to be very CLEAR - or whichever night is most convenient for your
work - or if you have time and good weather, you may want to watch
for a few hours on all three nights!

I believe Kaiserslautern is at about 49N latitude, 7E longitude?
So from that location, you can start profitably watching for Lyrids
as early as 10pm local time... However, after midnight is when the
show will be really getting going. And the LATER you can watch - the
better. In fact, if your schedule is totally free, you might want to
consider observing from midnight to 3am (when twilight starts to
interfere in your area), all three nights! :>

Here are some Web sites explain more about this week's Lyrids:
 http://spaceweather.com/meteors/lyrids/lyrids.html
 http://comets.amsmeteors.org/meteors/showers/lyridobs.html
 http://science.nasadot gov/newhome/headlines/ast21apr99_1.htm
 http://www.skyscandot ca/lyrids.htm
 http://www.imodot net/calendar/cal04.html#Lyrids


Hope this is helpful - clear skies over Rheinland-Pfalz!

Lew Gramer
North American Meteor Network
http://www.namnmeteors.org



The archive and Web site for our list is at http://www.meteorobs.org
To stop getting all email from the 'meteorobs' lists, use our Webform:
http://www.meteorobs.org/subscribe.html