All Gujarat Astronomers Meet 2014(2)

All Gujarat Astronomers Meet 2014 is announced

Date: 01-11-2014 t0 02-11-2014

Place : Nalanda Vidhyalay
Vavadi Road, Near Trikon
Post: Deradi (Kumbhaji)
Ta. Gondal
Dist Rajkot

Registration Fee : Rs. 200/- only

Contact :
Narendra Gor Bhuj 9428220472
Dhanajay Raval Ahmedabad: 9898121289
Dilip Devmurari Amareli: 9879573220
Nilesh Rana Rajkot: 9426473394
Dhiren Meshvaniya Jamnagar : 9879516990
Rahul Zota Kutch Bhuj : 9879068903

Lyrids Meteor Shower

The April Lyrids (LYR, IAU shower number 6 ) are a meteor shower lasting from April 16 to April 26 each year. The radiant of the meteor shower is located in the constellation Lyra, near this constellation's brightest star, Alpha Lyrae (proper name Vega). Their peak is typically around April 22 each year.

The source of the meteor shower is 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 for the past 2600 years.

The shower usually peaks on around April 22 and the morning of April 23. Counts typically range from 5 to 20 meteors per hour, averaging around ten. As a result of light pollution, observers in the country will see more, observers in the city fewer. Nights without a moon in the sky will reveal the most meteors. April Lyrid meteors are usually around magnitude +2. However, some meteors can be brighter, known as "Lyrid fireballs", cast shadows for a split second and leave behind smokey debris trails that last minutes.

Nishant Gor
Kutch Astronomy Club