SAASST News

Friday, 06 May 2022 21:04

SAASST Lyrids Meteor Shower Observations

The UAE Meteor Monitoring Network (UAEMMN) observed 38 meteors during the Lyrids peak period from the 22nd until the 23rd of April 2022. There was an increase in meteor observation from April 22 to 24. The total number of meteors observed was 12, 22, 16, and 9 on April 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively. The UAEMMN data indicates that the peak nights were the 22nd and 23rd of April.

This number could have been higher, but unfortunately, we had a bright moon illuminating the night sky on those nights, resulting in a low detection rate from our three UAEMMN towers in Sharjah, Yahar, and Liwa. The Sharjah tower suffers from the constant city light pollution with a detection of only 5 meteors during the nights of April 22 and 23.. On the other hand, Al-Yaher tower captured 18 meteors, and Liwa followed up very close with 15 meteors as these locations have the advantage of a darker night sky.