ARLA/CLUSTER: Lyrid Meteor Shower

[JOSE PROENÇA]

Space Weather News for April 21, 2009
http://spaceweather.com

MORNING METEORS:  Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher,
the source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower.  Forecasters expect the shower
to peak on Wednesday, April 22nd, with a display of 10 to 20 meteors per
hour over the northern hemisphere.  Occasionally, Earth passes through a
dense region of the comet's tail and rates surge five- to ten-fold.  In
1982, for instance, observers were surprised by an outburst of 90 Lyrids per
hour. Because Thatcher's tail has never been mapped in detail, the outbursts
are unpredictable and could happen again at any time.  The best time to
look, no matter where you live, is during the dark hours before dawn on
Wednesday morning April 22nd.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for full
coverage.

LUNAR OCCULTATION OF VENUS:  Even if the Lyrids fizzle, there is still
something wonderful to see on Wednesday morning, April 22nd. The crescent
Moon and Venus are going to have a close encounter of jaw-dropping beauty.
 Look low and to the east just before sunrise.  Observers in western parts
of North America will see a lunar occultation: Venus will disappear behind
the Moon's limb just after 5 am PDT and reappear again an hour or so later.
 Details may be found in this Science  NASA story:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17apr_lyrids.htm


-- 
CT2HIV
José A. Proença
IM58KP
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