For enthusiasts looking for the next meteor shower, long-running meteorological reference Old Farmer's Almanac has released its 2021 Meteor Shower Calendar - complete with viewing tips!
The celestial event where multiple meteors light up the night sky as they apparently fall from up high has become a spectacle for scientists and amateur watchers alike. However, a meteor shower is actually caused by several streams of cosmic debris that enter the atmosphere at extremely high speeds, burning brightly as they go.
In its 2021 Meteor Shower Calendar, the Old Farmer's Almanac explains how the dates of major meteor showers are generally the same, although their maximum moment, or "peak," might vary each year by a day or two. It also includes the direction where the meteor shower will come from, the expected maximum date, as well as the best time to view them.
Meteor Showers 2021 Calendar
So far, only the Quadrantid meteor shower has occurred during the dawn of January 3. The closest one is the Lyrids meteor shower, expected to peak anytime between April 21 and 22. It is a particularly average event, with an average of 10 meteors passing through per hour in the dark, clear skies from midnight leading up to dawn. The Old Farmer's Almanac also notes rare instances where the Lyrids meteor shower creates surges of up to a hundred meteors per hour.
While it is visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, it is expected to be more active in the North. Also, since it falls on the Moon's waxing gibbous phase, the best time to view it will be between moonset and dawn on April 22.
Following the Lyrids meteor shower is the Eta Aquarids, most likely to reach their peak by the pre-dawn hours of May 5. The bright lights from this shower are from dust and debris left by Halley's Comet as it passes through the sun. This time, the Eta Aquarids are more radiant in the Southern Hemisphere's skies, with a better view from the horizon.
The largest meteor showers for 2021 are the Perseid (August 11 to 12) and the Geminid (December 13 to 14), with an expected volume of 50 and 75 meteors per hour, respectively.
For The Best Meteor Shower Viewing Experience
The Old Farmer's Almanac release notes that the most common question regarding viewing meteor showers is where to watch them, with the short answer being "ANYWHERE in the sky!" Additionally, their chart clarifies how some showers are better viewed from a particular hemisphere since their radiance is not as visible in the opposite half of the Earth.
Additionally, in looking where to look, it's best to watch this celestial spectacle under dark skies - far from the artificial lights from the city skies. The Old Farmer's Almanac notes the need for advanced planning - like a drive to the countryside or a campout.
The weather guide also notes that bright moonlight, as the case with the immediate Lyrids meteor shower, might affect the number of meteors visible during a shower event. Also, prepare your eyes for the dark night sky at least 20 minutes before the event.
Lastly, the Old Farmer's Almanac reminds everyone to "Spread a blanket on the ground and get cozy!"
Check out more news and information on Meteor Showers in Science Times.
