Lyrids, Eta Aquariids, NASA Hubble Challenge: April Skywatching In RI

RHODE ISLAND — Meteor showers return to the skies over Rhode Island in April, providing hours of nighttime enjoyment as spring temperatures arrive.

The Lyrid meteor shower starts at mid-month and peaks during the third full week of April, and the Eta Aquariids also get started around mid-month and build toward the early May peak.

April’s full moon on Saturday, April 12, is known as the pink moon. It’s not actually pink but is named after the pink phlox wildflower that blooms at this time of the year.

April is also a good time for amateur astronomers in Rhode Island to participate in Hubble's Night Sky Challenge commemorating 35 years of Hubble discoveries. It’s a year-round program, and April offers some stellar opportunities to see some of the objects Hubble has photographed over the years, according to NASA.

Messier and Caldwell galaxies visible in the Northern Hemisphere in April are found on the NASA website. The Hubble Challenge also provides a guide for star parties, which could be a fun overnight adventure in more rural parts of the state away from Providence's light pollution.

Those dark locations are also great places to chase shooting stars.

The Lyrid meteor shower runs from April 17-26, and peaks overnight April 21-22. One of the oldest recorded meteor showers with observations dating back to 687 B.C., the Lyrids are known for luminous dust trains that last for several seconds, according to NASA. At the peak, the Lyrids offer about 18 shooting stars an hour.

The ancient Eta Aquariid meteor shower gets started around April 19 and runs concurrently with the Lyrids. This shower is the more prolific of the two, offering about 30 shooting stars an hour. These fast meteors also leave glowing trains that can last anywhere from several seconds to minutes, according to NASA. The shower peaks overnight May 4-5 and rambles on until month’s end.

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