Shooting stars over Germany: On these days you can see the Lyrids meteor shower particularly well

Created: 04/20/2022, 10:45 am

By: Stella Henrich

Hobby astronomers can be happy: April has a lot to offer.

Among other things, the Lyrid meteor shower can be observed on a clear day in the sky.

Munich - Easter is on April 17 this year - and there is an astronomical reason for that.

According to Christian tradition, Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon in spring.

This year the first full moon after the beginning of spring on March 21st will not occur until April 16th - Holy Saturday.

Easter is therefore relatively late this year.

And so this year the first full moon of spring shines directly on Holy Saturday.

According to Nasa*, it is visible for a total of three days at this time.

But if you look up into the sky on Easter Vigil, you can admire more than just the full moon.

Next to the moon is Spica, the main star of the constellation Virgo and one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

"Spica actually consists of two suns that orbit each other every four days," explains Thomas W. Kraupe, astrophysicist and director of the Hamburg Planetarium, to the knowledge.de internet

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"Each of the two stars is hotter, more luminous and larger than our sun with a temperature of over 20,000 degrees.

Seen from a distance of 250 light-years, they nonetheless merge into what appears to be a tiny point of bright light.”

Shooting Star Phenomenon: Comet splinters collide with Earth's atmosphere

April also brings another chance to see shooting stars.

Because on April 22, the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak.

"The tracers seem to emanate from the area near Vega, the brightest star of the Lyra, Latin Lyra.

That's why this annual meteor shower is also called the Lyrids," Kraupe continues.

This meteor shower originated in the dust left behind by a comet: "Our planet crosses the dusty trail of comet Thatcher, so that tiny splinters of the comet collide with the earth's atmosphere and burn up as shooting stars," says Kraupe.

On a clear, starry night, the sparkling sea of ​​lights can be observed very well.

© Daniel Jüptner/imago

Shooting stars: when and where can you see them?

The first shooting stars of this meteor shower will race through the nocturnal atmosphere as early as April 16th.

However, because the full moon is still shining brightly at this time, they are difficult to see.

The chances of the peak of the shower on the night of April 22nd to 23rd are significantly better.

Then a good 20 shooting stars per hour could dart across the sky.

They are best seen from midnight, when the Lyra constellation is higher in the sky and the crescent has not yet risen, according to Kraupe at

If you want to see Lyrids, you should do so from a dark place - away from the city lights.

It is also important to get your eyes used to the darkness at least 20 minutes beforehand so that they can adapt to the light conditions.

“You should also avoid looking at the bright smartphone display.

The best thing to do is sit or lie down in a comfortable garden chair and give yourself 30 to 60 minutes,” advises Kraupe.

If you want to look up into the sky over Germany to observe the shooting stars, you should consider this.

Not everything can be predicted exactly.

Even shooting stars don't always stick to deadlines.

And if you really shouldn't make any observations in the sky, there is still the possibility of taking a look at impressive images from space on your own computer.

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