You don’t have to be an astronomer to catch a glimpse of the night’s ancient wonder.
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You might have to be an early morning person though.
That is what long-time Wagga astronomer Michael Maher says.
It comes as the world witnesses the oldest-known annual meteor shower in history.
Every time Earth intersects Comet Thatcher’s orbit, the Lyrids – comet debris – can be seen in the constellation Lyra.
Mr Maher said the best time to see the Lyrids was after midnight.
“I always think it’s best to get a nice dark spot somewhere,” Mr Maher said.
“You’ve got to get out of town – away from lights and without the light of the moon.”
An astronomer for more than 30 years, Mr Maher said you could see shooting stars every night if you had a good spot.
“People don’t realise you have to get dark adjusted,” he said.
“That can take up to ten minutes, so you can’t just walk outside after watching TV and expect to see anything.”
Mr Maher said the shower was worth gazing for, if you were willing to brave the early hours.
The display is best witnessed in the early hours before dawn, between April 14 and 30.
At its peak – April 22 and 23 – the shower can produce between 10 and 20 shooting stars per hour.
