Witness the Spectacular Lyrid Meteor Shower and Pink Moon in the Night Sky

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The total solar eclipse may have passed, but there's still plenty to look forward to for sky-gazers. This week, a meteor shower will peak right before a full moon rises. Although the bright orb may steal some of the Lyrids' thunder, experts have tips on how to best view the celestial spectacle.

The Lyrid meteor shower will be most active on Sunday night through the early morning hours of Monday, according to the American Meteor Society. The full moon of April, also known as the pink moon, will reach its peak full phase at 7:49 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

During the peak of the Lyrids, observers typically see up to 18 meteors per hour. However, this year, the moon's brightness may make it difficult to spot faint meteors. Ashley King, a postdoctoral researcher of planetary sciences at London’s Natural History Museum, mentioned that the shower will be most visible to those in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Lyrids' radiant, where the meteors seem to come from, will not rise high enough in the night sky to see a high rate of meteors.

Night owls who want to catch a glimpse of a Lyrid meteor should step outside at least 10 to 15 minutes before trying to spot one, suggested King. Experts advise against using telescopes or binoculars as meteors can be seen all over the sky, and these devices have limited fields of view, as per NASA's recommendation.

The ideal time to observe a meteor is in the early morning before sunrise, according to King. It is recommended to find a dark location and a high vantage point to get the best view of the sky.

Astronomers have found the most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy, thanks to the wobbling motion it induces on a companion star. This artist’s impression shows the orbits of both the star and the black hole, dubbed Gaia BH3, around their common centre of mass. This wobbling was measured over several years with the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission. Additional data from other telescopes, including ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile, confirmed that the mass of this black hole is 33 times that of our Sun. The chemical composition of the companion star suggests that the black hole was formed after the collapse of a massive star with very few heavy elements, or metals, as predicted by theory.

Astronomers have recently discovered the most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy by observing its effect on a nearby star. The black hole, known as Gaia BH3, was identified by studying the wobbling motion it causes in its companion. This motion was tracked over several years using the European Space Agency's Gaia mission. Further observations from telescopes, such as ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile, confirmed that Gaia BH3 has a mass 33 times that of our Sun. The chemical composition of the companion star indicates that the black hole formed after the collapse of a massive star with few heavy elements, in line with scientific predictions.

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The Lyrids may not be the fastest or brightest meteors, but they can still offer a captivating celestial display. There is always a possibility of unexpected surprises during the shower.

According to King, observing a meteor is a wonderful way to witness the activity within our solar system. It provides a unique opportunity to view some of the oldest materials that originated in the solar system.

Look to the sky for the pink moon

The pink moon will be visible to everyone across the world, since Earth’s natural satellite will appear to be full for a couple of days.

Despite its name, the upcoming full moon will appear just like any other, according to Paul Hayne, a planetary scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder. Sometimes, a full moon can appear slightly red near the horizon because of the way light passes through Earth's atmosphere.

Mariel Williams of Royal Oak, Michigan, traveled to her family's hometown of Dayton, Ohio, to witness the total solar eclipse. "The whole neighborhood was outside with their glasses, saying their 'ooh's' and 'ahh's' as the moon creeped in," she said.

Mariel Williams, from Royal Oak, Michigan, went to Dayton, Ohio, her family's hometown, to see the total solar eclipse. She described the scene, "The entire neighborhood gathered outside with their special glasses, marveling and expressing their amazement as the moon slowly moved into place."

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The pink moon is named after a hot pink wildflower called Phlox subulata, which blooms in early spring, just like the moon appears not long after the start of spring, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

It is recommended to observe the full moon using binoculars or even just the naked eye, as it may be too bright to see clearly through a telescope, Hayne explained.

"Our nearest celestial neighbor has been a central figure in human myths and the development of life on our planet. It is also one of the most stunning sights in the night sky that can be seen without the need for a telescope," Hayne explained in an email. "Gazing at a full moon is a wonderful chance to reflect on the immense expanse of space and our relationship with the universe."

The pink moon rises next to Orvieto Cathedral in the region of Umbria in Italy, on April 6, 2023. This year, April's full moon will peak on Tuesday.

The pink moon rises next to Orvieto Cathedral in the region of Umbria in Italy, on April 6, 2023. This year, April's full moon will peak on Tuesday.

Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto/Getty Images

More full moons this year

Of the 12 full moons in 2024, the September and October lunar events are set to be supermoons, according to EarthSky.

A supermoon is a full moon that appears larger and brighter in the night sky because it is closer to Earth than usual. Some astronomers define a supermoon as when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth in orbit, known as perigee.

Here are the full moons left for 2024:

• May 23: Flower moon

• June 21: Strawberry moon

• July 21: Buck moon

• August 19: Sturgeon moon

• September 17: Harvest moon

• October 17: Hunter’s moon

• November 15: Beaver moon

• December 15: Cold moon

Exciting news for sky-gazers! The American Meteor Society has announced that there are still several meteor showers to look forward to in 2024. Mark your calendars for these upcoming peak dates.

• Eta Aquariids: May 4-5

• Southern delta Aquariids: July 29-30

• Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31

• Perseids: August 11-12

• Draconids: October 7-8

• Orionids: October 20-21

• Southern Taurids: November 4-5

• Northern Taurids: November 11-12

• Leonids: November 17-18

• Geminids: December 13-14

• Ursids: December 21-22

The sun's corona is visible as the moon passes in front of the sun during a total solar eclipse at Big Summit Prairie ranch in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest near the city of Mitchell on August 21, 2017. The Sun started to vanish behind the Moon as the partial phase of the so-called Great American Eclipse began Monday, with millions of eager sky-gazers soon to witness "totality" across the nation for the first time in nearly a century. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

During a total solar eclipse at Big Summit Prairie ranch in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest near the city of Mitchell on August 21, 2017, the sun's corona became visible as the moon passed in front of the sun. The partial phase of the Great American Eclipse began on Monday, causing the Sun to gradually vanish behind the Moon. Millions of sky-gazers eagerly awaited the moment of "totality" when the sun would be completely covered, a rare event not seen in nearly a century. The breathtaking phenomenon was captured in a stunning image by photographer Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images.

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Solar and lunar eclipses

In 2024, there were two significant eclipse events that captured the attention of many skywatchers. The total solar eclipse on April 8 was the most highly anticipated, followed by an annular solar eclipse on October 2 in parts of South America. During an annular solar eclipse, the moon is at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit as it moves between our planet and the sun. This positioning prevents the moon from completely blocking the sun, resulting in a stunning “ring of fire” effect in the sky as the sun’s light surrounds the moon.

A partial lunar eclipse is set to occur over Europe and much of Asia, Africa, North America, and South America between September 17 and 18. This event happens when Earth moves between the sun and the full moon in a nearly perfect alignment, causing Earth's shadow to cover a part of the moon's surface for observers in the eclipse path.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides an exciting glimpse into upcoming celestial events, including the Lyrid meteor shower and the pink moon. While the moon's brightness may diminish the visibility of the meteors, experts offer tips for maximizing the viewing experience. The discovery of the most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy underscores the vastness and intrigue of our universe.

The Lyrid meteor shower presents an opportunity to witness ancient materials from our solar system, while the pink moon offers a beautiful sight in the night sky. The upcoming full moons and meteor showers throughout 2024 promise to captivate sky-gazers. The total solar eclipse and annular solar eclipse that occurred earlier this year served as reminders of the awe-inspiring sights the cosmos can offer. The partial lunar eclipse later this year will provide another opportunity to appreciate the intricate interplay between the Earth, moon, and sun.