Lyrid Meteor Shower

Description

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Context

The Lyrid meteor shower occurs between April 16-25 every year and will peak on the night of April 22, 2023.

Details

The radiant of the meteor shower is located in the constellation Lyra, near its brightest star, Vega.
The peak of the shower is typically around April 22 each year.
The source of the meteor shower are particles of dust shed by the long-period Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher.
The April Lyrids are the strongest annual shower of meteors from debris of a long-period comet, mainly because as far as other intermediate long-period comets go (200–10,000 years), this one has a relatively short orbital period of about 415 years.
The Lyrids have been observed and reported since 687 BC; no other modern shower has been recorded as far back in time.

Where do the meteors come from?

Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids.
When comets come around the Sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them.
Every year Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky

PRACTICE QUESTION (BASIC)

Q. Which of the following statements are correct?

a) A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that warms and begins to release gases when passing close to the Sun, a process called outgassing.

b) A Meteorite is a relatively small chunk of rocky minerals that orbits the Sun, often described as a minor planet.

1) Only a

2) Only b

3) Both a and b

4) Neither a nor b

Answer: 1