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And, why you are looking at these Lyrid meteors, astronomers and astronauts will be coordinating efforts to produce 3D images of the Lyrid meteor shower.
According to the NASA Science article The 3D Lyrid Meteor Shower, ''¦ NASA scientists, amateur astronomers, and an astronaut on board the International Space Station will attempt the first-ever 3D photography of meteors from Earth and space.'
Bill Cooke, the head of the NASA Meteoroid Environment Office, states, "The annual Lyrid meteor shower peaks on April 21-22. We're going to try to photograph some of these 'shooting stars' simultaneously from ground stations, from a research balloon in the stratosphere, and from the space station."
Cooke adds, "Even though the Lyrids are not noted for spectacular rates, the combination of a New Moon and a very favorable viewing geometry from the International Space Station (ISS) presents a unique opportunity to simultaneously image shower meteors from above and below.'
Cooke also comments on astronaut Don Pettit, who will be photographing the Lyrids from his perch on the International Space Station.
He states, "Even though his equipment was designed for tasks other than meteor observing, Don is a skilled astrophotographer, and we have every confidence that he will maximize the chances of capturing a Lyrid from 400 km above Earth's surface."
Page three concludes with more activities involving NASA and the Lyrids.
