2009 April lyrids ?

[jkrah]

Tonight marks the starting time of the April Lyrids Meteor Shower ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrids

This is my first time to go and try to observe a meteor shower ..
and I was wondering if anyone had any viewing tips or comments on what maybe to expect..

Ive read that midnight till dawn is best time, as our part of the sky is spinning _into_ the showers source (comet debris or whatever) ..

Bummer that the Lyrids peak is next wednesday (22/4) . Ive got to work next thursday so pulling an all nighter is not that favorable.. On the other hand I would hate to miss the peak (if there is one).

[erick (Eric)]

You have a bit of Moon in the way for days of the shower.

According to Astronomy 2009, the pi-Puppids might be worth looking for on 23rd before midnight?

[Rob_K]

Not sure if the Lyrids will be great, jkrah. Peak is 11:00 UT on 22nd (9pm AEST), while the radiant of the Lyrids doesn't rise until after midnight at my place (37 deg S). Just scrapes across the northern horizon. Might be better for northern Australia.
http://www.imo.net/calendar/2009#lyr

Agree with Eric that pi-Puppids might be better, as a late session. Peak is at 2am AEST on the 24th (16:00, 23 April UT), even though the radiant will be setting at around that time for us 'southerners'.
http://www.imo.net/calendar/2009#ppu

Cheers -

[jkrah]

Thanks heaps for the advice guys!

Not sure if the Lyrids will be great, jkrah. Peak is 11:00 UT on 22nd (9pm AEST), while the radiant of the Lyrids doesn't rise until after midnight at my place (37 deg S). Just scrapes across the northern horizon. Might be better for northern Australia.

I'm still hoping it's worth a little look around 9:00pm 22/4 during Lyrids peak .. I think Lyra also rises at around midnight here.. 3hrs = 3/24 = aprox 1/8 rotation below the horiz ? .. surely some could still make it to our part of the sky.. Its a nice 'sane' time of night also..

But friday morning (24/4) 2am sounds the go.. thanks again!

Anyone have any advice on the best storms (either regularly or for 2009) that one should plan to make an effort to see (from south east oz)?