Fast, bright meteor showers seen in April

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos can witness fast and bright meteor showers later this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced yesterday.

The Lyrids meteor shower will peak on April 22 to predawn of April 23.

“The shower typically generates a dozen meteors per hour under optimal conditions with a brief maximum that lasts for less than a day,” PAGASA said in its monthly astronomical diary.

“Although not numerous, Lyrids are bright and fast meteors,” the weather bureau said.

The Lyrids have been observed for more than 2,600 years, according to PAGASA.

The meteor shower is created by bits of debris left behind by the repeated passage through the inner solar system of comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1).

PAGASA said Chinese records show that “stars fell like rain” during the meteor shower of 687 BC. 

“However, in recent times, the Lyrids have generally been weak,” the weather bureau said.

Meteor showers can be seen with the naked eye.