International Dark Sky Week
Endorsed by the International Dark-Sky Association and the American Astronomical Society, International Dark Sky Week presents an opportunity to appreciate the beautiful night sky without the adverse effects of light pollution from outdoor lighting. Turn out those lights and enjoy views of the starry sky from your own backyard!
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Kick off International Dark Sky Week by getting outside after midnight on the night of April 16th to enjoy the start of the Lyrids Meteor Shower. Look for meteors to radiate outwards from the constellation Lyra at the peak of the shower, after midnight on the 22nd into the early hours of April 23rd. The Lyrids is a medium shower, which should produce about 18 per hour this year. The waxing crescent Moon will be out when shower activity peaks, but it shouldn’t make it too difficult to spot meteors. The Lyrids shower often produces meteors with impressive dust trails that can last several seconds. You don’t need a telescope to enjoy the show — just sit back in a comfy chair and watch bright dust trails flare across the sky.