April skies highlight one of the oldest recorded meteoric events. The Lyrid meteor shower has been sighted since 687 BCE. Almost 2,700 years ago Chinese astronomers reported, “In the middle of the night, stars fell like rain.” Comet Thatcher, the trail of dusty source material that supplies the Lyrids, was discovered in 1861. Bits of this debris light up as they plummet through Earth’s atmosphere, vaporizing at high speeds.

Meteor showers appear to speed from a singular point called the radiant. Lyra the Harp, the constellation nearest that point, is the namesake of the Lyrids.

Lyra is most often associated with Orpheus of Greek mythology. Orpheus was said to be so gifted as a musician, even trees and rocks were moved by the sounds of his harp. He charmed the god of the underworld, Hades, to retrieve his wife when she died. Orpheus was forbidden to look back until both stepped into the sunlight. Not hearing her, he turned at the last minute, only to see her taken away. From then on, he played the blues so woefully, his grief and rejection of all others led to his demise. His lyre was put in the stars in tribute to his unmatchable skill.

Wed., April 22 is the peak of the Lyrids. A waxing crescent moon will give little interference. Check out brilliant planet Jupiter just next to the Moon.