Lyridy 2020

Lyrids are not among the most sought-after meteorites of MS amateurs, because the reflections from their tracks are relatively short and weak, but they are sufficient for WSJT operation. Their speed is moving around 49 km/s. The estimated number of bounces per hour is only ten. But maybe they will surprise us like in a year 1982, when in the US they counted about 90 reflections per hour.

This year we expect them among 21. and April 22 200 with a predicted maximum reaching ZHR 20. More accurate estimates will be known with the maximum approaching. Looking at the night sky will seem, that they are flying out of a place near the Northern Cross. You can simulate the prediction of visual observation at https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/lyrids.html. Observation conditions will be very good this year, because during the peak activity of the swarm, the Moon will be new. Due to the height of the radiant above the horizon, it is best to observe the Lyrids always in the second half of the night.