[Heathkit] Lyrid Meteor Shower - Scatter Anyone?

[W8DBF D.B. Fischer]

Some Hams like to work meteor scatter propagation so here you go! The rest 
of you, this promises to be quite interesting, especially the ones that 
impact on the surface of the Moon and explode. Check it out.

Earth is about to pass through the dusty tail of Comet Thatcher, 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 sunrise 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 spot 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.

Visit Spaceweather.com for details, sky maps and observing tips.

Note: This is a Northern Hemisphere shower. South of the equator, observers

will see very few Lyrids. Southerners are, however, in an excellent

position to observe Lyrid impacts on the Moon. The Moon rises high in

southern skies on April 22nd, in plain view of backyard telescopes.