MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is urging Filipino astronomy enthusiasts to watch out for the Lyrids meteor showers this month.
In its monthly astronomical diary, PAGASA said the Lyrids, which are “bright and fast meteors,” will be visible on April 21 to pre-dawn of April 22.
“The shower typically generates a dozen meteors per hour under optimal conditions with a brief maximum that lasts for less than a day,” the weather bureau said.
PAGASA said the Lyrids meteor shower has been observed for more than 2, 600 years.
“Chinese records say ‘stars fell like rain’ in the shower of 687 B.C,” it said.
In recent times though, it said the Lyrids have generally been weak.
PAGASA said the Lyrids are the oldest known meteor showers.
The meteors are bits of debris shed by a comet called Thatcher. They hit earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, producing glowing streaks.