Meteor Shower Will Make “Fireballs” in the Sky, Starting Saturday—Here’s How to See It

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Even though our planet is overflowing with natural beauty of its own, there’s still something unique about taking in the wonders of the galaxy. Whether it’s getting lucky enough to catch a passing comet or scoping out our nearest neighboring planets on a clear evening, the night sky can be a humbling source of amazement and wonder no matter where you happen to be on Earth. And if you’re looking to take in a memorably good annual event, you should mark your calendar for the upcoming meteor shower that will make “fireballs” in the sky. Read on to find out how you can see the spectacle starting Saturday.

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Amateur astronomers won’t have to wait until the Leonid or Perseid showers to take in an active night sky. The Lyrids meteor shower will begin in the coming days, putting on a show that stands out from other similar showers during the year, according to NASA.

The annual event stands out as one of the earliest recorded meteor showers, with its first mention dating back to Chinese records in 687 BC. It’s fueled by the dust trail left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher , which was first spotted when it passed near Earth in 1861. But while the source itself will still be traveling further away from our planet for decades to come, its remnants provide a yearly show every April.

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Besides being one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, the event also stands out for how they appear to those viewing it. Instead of the long, glowing tails that streak across the sky during other notable showers like the Perseids, the Lyrids tend to produce short, explosive bursts referred to as a “fireball,” according to NASA.

And even though it may not be as heavy as its summertime counterpart, stargazers who set out to watch will still see plenty of activity. The shower typically averages about 18 meteors per hour during its peak, with some years surpassing that count, per NASA.

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Even though the “shooting stars” themselves may only appear as flashes in the night sky, those looking to get a glimpse of the shower will have plenty of time to work it into their schedule. This year’s Lyrids will begin on April 15 and increase in intensity until they peak on April 21 and 22, per NASA.

According to EarthSky, the meteor shower’s radiant point is a bright star known as Vega in the Lyra constellation, which gives the event its name. Those in the Northern Hemisphere can find it by looking to the northeast not long after sunset when it becomes visible above the horizon, arching higher in the sky until reaching its height almost directly overhead around midnight.

Those watching the Lyrids from the U.S. also likely won’t have to change their sleeping schedule to see them at their best, either. The peak will occur from around 9 p.m. through midnight on April 22, Forbes reports. Those who stay up later at night will likely get an even more dazzling display as meteors appear higher in the sky.

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While local weather will always play a factor in your view of the night sky, some other conditions will make this year’s Lyrids particularly good for stargazing. According to EarthSky, a new moon occurring on April 19 means there will be minimal light interference, making it easier to spot the streaks and fireballs above. The slight crescent that emerges during the peak will also only minimally affect the experience.

Besides blocking off the prime times on your schedule, there are a few other ways to improve your meteor shower experience. If you can get a little out of town, it’s best to pick a viewing area that’s far away from city or street lights, NASA suggests. You should also plan to bring plenty of items to make yourself comfortable, including warm clothing and something to sit on that makes looking upward easy, such as a blanket, chair, sleeping bag, or hammock.

Once you’ve found the right location, sit with your feet facing east and lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. It can take as much as 30 minutes for your eyes to completely adjust to the darkness, which includes avoiding glances at your phone. From there, you just have to lay back and take in the show.

The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says

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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.

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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.

Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.

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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.

For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.

The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.

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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.

“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”

And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.

“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.