Meteors, moon and planets reward early risers

Autumn is a wonderful time to stargaze in Otago. The nights are long, the air is often crisp and clear, and exciting events are always happening in the sky. Early risers can look forward to two celestial events in the coming week, although one may not be as impressive as usual.

The Lyrid meteor shower, one of the oldest-known meteor displays, will peak in the early hours of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This meteor shower is caused by tiny fragments of Comet Thatcher, which was last seen in 1861 and won’t return until 2283. Under ideal conditions, the Lyrids typically produce about 10 to 20 meteors per hour.

Unfortunately, the shower occurs a few days after the last quarter moon this year, so moonlight will interfere with all but the brightest meteors. If you’re determined to catch a glimpse, your best chance is to head out between 3am and 5am on Tuesday. Find a spot with a clear view to the northeast, and be patient. You might see a few bright Lyrids shooting away from their radiant near the star Vega but don’t expect a spectacular show.

While the Lyrids may disappoint, a beautiful consolation awaits a few mornings later. Just before sunrise on Friday, an elegant planetary gathering will grace the eastern sky. Starting about 5am, look low on the horizon, and you’ll see a slender crescent moon nestled among three planets, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury. I mentioned this triple planetary gathering last week, but Friday’s close passage of the waning crescent Moon through this area of the sky should bring joy to all except the most miserable stargazers!

The Moon’s slender crescent will be illuminated by the Sun, and you’ll also notice its darkened portion glowing faintly — this phenomenon called "earthshine", the gentle light from our planet reflecting off the Moon’s night side. Leonardo da Vinci first explained this phenomenon, so it’s often referred to as "Da Vinci’s ghost". So while the Lyrids may not dazzle, the planetary line-up and the Moon’s ghostly glow promise a memorable start to the day.