Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks On April 21, 2014 -PAGASA

The Lyrid Meteor Shower will be peaking on Monday, April 21, 2014, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks On April 21, 2014

Although not numerous, Lyrids are bright and fast meteors. 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.

The meteor shower will have its peak on the night of April 21 to predawn of April 22, it added.

The Lyrid Meteor Shower has been observed for more than 2,600 years. Chinese records show that "stars fell like rain" during the meteor shower of 687 B.C. However, in recent times, the Lyrids have generally been weak.

The radiant of the meteor shower is located in the constellation Lyra, near this constellation's brightest star, Alpha Lyrae; hence they are also called the Alpha Lyrids and sometimes the April Lyrids.