Attention meteor watchers: Comet Thatcher approaching!

By Aussiegirl

If you hurry, you might be able to catch sight of the annual Lyrid meteor shower tomorrow morning. Who knew Dame Maggie Thatcher had a comet named after her? Maybe if we look real hard, we might be able to see Ronnie and Maggie together.

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

METEOR ALERT: Earth is now entering the dusty tail of Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1), and this will cause the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak on April 22nd, producing about 10 meteors per hour--modest, but pretty. The best time to look is during the hours before dawn on Saturday morning. Go to a dark site away from city lights, if possible.

The Moon will also encounter the comet's tail on April 22nd, which raises an interesting possibility: Amateur astronomers may be able to see flashes of light on the Moon when comet debris hits the lunar surface and explodes. All that's required is a backyard telescope and lots of patience.