Dark skies and a new moon are predicted to set a spectacular stellar stage for the upcoming Lyrids meteor shower. The Lyrids will brighten the sky April 21 and are visible to the naked eye all over the globe. The best view is expected just prior to the break of dawn.
The Lyrids shower appears mid-April each year when Earth intersects with a stream of debris from the periodic comet C/1861 G1. It has been observed by sky-watchers for more than 2,600 years. The Lyrids are notoriously unpredictable, but this year, Dr. Bill Cooke, lead for the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Meteoroid Environments Office, forecasts an impressive display.
Cooke will be available for telephone media to interviews to discuss the Lyrids meteor shower at 1 p.m. CDT April 19.
To participate, reporters should call: 888-469-1065, passcode: lyrids.
In addition, during the peak of the shower, Cooke and his team will host a NASA web chat from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. CDT April 21, answering questions live.
For more information about the meteor shower web chat, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/lyrids2012_chat.html
