Instead of TV, Go Outside and See the Meteor Shower - Perfect Conditions
Mates,
Tonight is when we pass through the Lyrid meteor shower. Providentially, nearly our entire state will have the benefit of clear skies. Just as important, tonight is a 'new moon' which is a bit of misnomer in that it means there is 'no moon' to wash out the lights of the meteor shower. Sunset is nearly here as I type this, so by 10 or certainly 11 you should be able to see the meteors.
Instead of watching TV, and in place of [live sporting event] that won't be played, maybe take the family outside and look for some meteors. We have snow on ground so we won't be laying on the ground as we watch, but we will definitely spend some time on this crystal clear evening taking a look.
Link to an article with more details:https://www.mlive.com/weather/2020/04/2-reasons-why-tuesday-night-could-be-magical-to-see-lyrid-meteor-shower.html
I hope that those of you that take a look enjoy the show.
XM
Thanks for the heads up.
As an aside, it's not really a misnomer as it is referring to the beginning of a new lunar cycle.
ever since i was a kid i always thought it would've made more sense to have a 'new' moon be one that is big and shiny, not hiding. but yeah, i know the actual definition.
enjoy the view. we had clouds all day, a veritable blizzard in the morning, but all that has cleared out in the last couple of hours.
Well X, what would the opposite of “full moon” be then? Can’t be an empty moon, can’t say “no moon,” cause it’s still there.
ill stay warm inside and watch the moons on pornhub.
holy wah, what kind of wolverine are you? put your stormy kromer on and go take a peek.
Thanks for the great suggestion. I think it will be a fine night to fire up the spa, pour myself a cocktail, and lean back and watch the skies. Capital!
maybe put a coat on. clear skies always brings cooler temps. it is already gorgeous outside with the fading sunset. zero clouds.
April 21st, 2020 at 11:25 PM ^
If only there were some kind of clothing people could put on to keep from getting too cold in such conditions.
Oh well, I guess viewing the meteor shower will have to wait until we develop such technology.
Thanks XM. Will have to check it out ?
I'm downstate but I will look for sure.
Thanks XM. I'm troopin' everybody out there. Cheers.
April 21st, 2020 at 10:10 PM ^
A quick note for those who didn't bother to read XM's link: while it's entirely possible you might spot a meteor or two if you're outdoors before midnight, the much better window of opportunity doesn't apparently begin until close to 2 am Michigan time. His mLive link mentioned midnight to 2, but most other articles I checked over the last few days said 2 am or later, others stated "pre-dawn hours".
This particular meteor shower usually lasts the better part of a week. In most of Michigan this week however, we're expected to have cloudier conditions after tonight, so tonight looks to be by far the best bet.
April 21st, 2020 at 10:13 PM ^
to rob's point, i have been out to look a few times and the night is clear and gorgeous and the wind has finally stopped blowing. but no shooting stars as of about 10. hopefully the action will pick up in an hour or two.
April 21st, 2020 at 10:18 PM ^
It is indeed a crystal clear night sky tonight. Make sure you take a few minutes to let your eyes adjust to the darkness and then enjoy the show!
April 21st, 2020 at 10:19 PM ^
XM - thanks for posting. You always manage to post some of the highest quality content and thread interaction on the board and it sometimes seems like you should be compensated for doing so.
Cheers & enjoy the shower - sadly I can't see due to the current position on the horizon relative to buildings here in Chicago, but I can imagine your enjoyment up in the UP & live vicariously.
April 21st, 2020 at 10:43 PM ^
thank you for your kind words, pz. i'm afraid you are a tiny minority opinion, but very gracious of you to say so.
and maybe in chicago you can look straight up? in another hour they should be overhead and/or to the northeast.
April 21st, 2020 at 10:40 PM ^
Thanks for the tip XM. I’ll take a look at 2 if I’m up, but being in town with two streetlights in close proximity isn’t ideal viewing conditions.
Luckily I had an amateur astronomer for a dad, and when I was a kid he had us looking up at the skies at the Perseids when we vacationed in Colorado. You can’t beat those viewing conditions.
April 21st, 2020 at 10:41 PM ^
neat about your dad's background.
and maybe you saw the first lyrid meteor shower in 639 b.c.?
Naw, it was cloudy that night in 639, unfortunately, so we just stayed in the yurt and gnawed on a wapiti haunch that I cached earlier in the winter.
Wife and I went outside at 2 am for a look. Skies were clear in A2; she saw one but I didn't see a thing. Our timing might not have been ideal.
April 22nd, 2020 at 12:29 AM ^
I was outdoors for 20 minutes a short while ago, saw just one meteor and a very faint satellite. Gonna get a couple hours of sleep, then head back outside 2:30ish.
April 22nd, 2020 at 12:39 AM ^
Thanks. 30 and clear skies in macomb. Nobody else out. Gonna grab a chair and darth Vader snuggy
Nothing but disappointment. Spent another half hour out there, beginning at 2:50 am and only saw 2 barely noticeable meteors, one overhead and one in the southeast sky.
Still, though, a clear sky with bill-yuns and bill-yuns of shining stars (as Carl Sagan might have said).
Can't complain too much, meteor showers often do fizzle out, though occasionally they dazzle beyond expectations. Better luck to someone else maybe closer to dawn.
i had a similar experience, but turned in by 1. saw a few quick 'flickers', but no screaming eagles which is what i'd hoped for. i think you said the 'storm' is supposed to last all week, but the cloud cover might not be as favorable as it was last night. very pretty out there.