An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

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JGD
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An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

Something that all the family can watch out for - the annual Lyrid meteor shower is visible in UK skies tonight.

It's a good watch and free of course. Perhaps a little competition too - who can count the most meteors and who can see the longest meteor tail.
The Lyrid meteor shower will start tonight and will see one shooting star flash across the sky every four to six minutes.

This year's shower will peak after dark on the night of April 22 and last until April 25.

Like most meteor showers, the Lyrid occurs when particles of comet debris enter our atmosphere and burn up, appearing as shooting stars.

It’s known as the Lyrid shower as the shooting stars appear to originate from a point in the constellation Lyra.

While the peak of the shower won’t be until the early hours of April 22, there’s a good chance you’ll see shooting stars during the later part of the evening so you won’t have to stay up too late to catch a glimpse.

You are likely to see around 10 to 15 shooting stars and hour during the shower but the Lyrid is known for unexpected surges where it’s possible there will be as many as 100.

How to see them

This year the Lyrids occur during the New Moon so the sky should be dark, and clear weather will mean a good view.

To see the shooting stars, look towards the North East after dark towards the constellation Lyra, The Harp.

If it is cloudy, you can check out the Exeter Observatory website ( http://www.exeterobservatory.com/meteorcam/ ) and watch live meteors being detected on the radar and camera detectors.
Image

https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1838 ... /?ref=ebln
The Clown
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by The Clown »

Too cloudy I think
JGD
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

Try the Exeter Observatory website at http://www.exeterobservatory.com/meteorcam/

Select the Exeter NE image - seems to be clear sky at that location at approx 21:15 at least.

Edited to add: Any of the cams located in the west country appear to have clear skies - the time-stamps are UT.
JGD
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

The Exeter Observatory website is at http://www.exeterobservatory.com/meteorcam/

Not so clear skies here with us or across south of England this evening (Friday).

None of the cams have clear skies but once more the ones located in Exeter may prove to be best - but no guarantees I'm afraid. Do have a look you never know when a gap may open up.

Again - the time-stamps are UT.
JGD
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

Examples so far. Images from night of 20 April 2020
Photos capture shooting stars and trains of satellites above south east London.

Did you see them? (Stephen Sangster)
Stephen Sangster managed to snap the phenomenon alongside a 'Starlink Train', a string of satellites put in the sky by celebrity billionaire Elon Musk.

Dad of three Stephen, who lives in Orpington, said: "Astronomy is the perfect lockdown activity and tonight is the one of the most interesting evenings in the calendar with the peak of the Lyrid meteors and a large Starlink pass at 9pm.
Image

Image

https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1839 ... /?ref=ebln
JGD
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

The show comes to an end over the next two nights.

Forecasts show it may be a little cloudy 19:00-20:00 tonight but hopefully there will be adequately clear skies to let us see a few meteors.

Do share pics if you get any !

Some of the best pics from MSN.

Image

Image

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technol ... r-BB136NhA
JGD
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

Whilst I am unsure how observable this asteroid pass-by will be, it is worthy of note.
Asteroid classed as ‘potentially hazardous’ to pass Earth

Image
Asteroid 1998 OR2(PA Graphics)

AN ASTEROID more than a mile wide is set to make a pass by Earth on Wednesday, although scientists insist it poses no danger.

Known as (52768) 1998 OR2, the asteroid will come to about 3.9 million miles away – 16 times further than the distance to the Moon – when it makes its closest approach.

The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico has been tracking the 1.2 mile-wide space rock as it edges nearer, after Nasa first spotted it in 1998.

Image
Asteroid 1998 OR2(PA Graphics)

Scientists have joked that the latest image of the asteroid look like it is wearing a mask due to dust and debris passing around it.
The asteroid is classed as a PHO (potentially hazardous object) because it is bigger than 140 metres and will come within five million miles of Earth’s orbit, but no known PHO poses an immediate danger to the planet.

Nevertheless, scientists continue to keep an eye on the asteroid to see how it will move beyond 2020.
Just pleased they are watching its future track. Future generations will need to know if it passes any closer each time it whizzes past.
“In 2079, asteroid 1998 OR2 will pass Earth about 3.5 times closer than it will this year, so it is important to know its orbit precisely.”
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1840 ... ass-earth/

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JGD
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Re: An Annual Event that has NOT been cancelled

Post by JGD »

Elon Musk's Starlink satellites will be visible from the UK tonight.
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite fleet is set to be visible above UK skies again tonight.

Starlink is a chain of satellites launched by Mr Musk’s company SpaceX, intended to beam down an inexpensive broadband internet signal to areas of the globe which previously had little to no internet connection.

The satellites make an impressive display of bright lights, and have become has become a popular target for astronomy fans.

Starlink is passing over the UK this week, and will be visible tonight at 10.36pm, at 9.35pm on 15 May, and again at 10.11pm on 16 May.

The satellites appear as small, fast-moving bright lights.
Starlink's website provides a live map of the location of the satellites to help skywatchers find them. In the search box type in "UK" and select "United Kingdom - London" in the pop-up.

https://findstarlink.com/#51.5,North,0.17,West;3
9:35 pm, 15 May 2020
Starlink-3, BRIGHT (3.7) for 6 mins
Look from WEST (285°) to SOUTHEAST (119°)
Elevation (from horizon): start: 10°, max: 67°, end: 11°

Times are UTC.
Image

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/elon ... 40981.html
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