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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Meteor showers, comet to be visible in April

Meteor showers, comet to be visible in April

Published Apr 1, 2024 02:27 am

Get ready for a dazzling April spectacle as meteor showers and a brilliant comet take center stage in the night sky.

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Photo from Unsplash 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its astronomical diary released on Monday, April 1 said meteor showers and a comet will be observed this month. 

PAGASA said Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will be the “brightest” when it appears on April 21. 

“It will reach its brightest point and pass perihelion on April 21 while being in the Taurus constellation, with an estimated visual magnitude of 4.6,” PAGASA said. 

While the comet will be bright, a binocular with a 40- to 50-millimeter aperture or a small telescope may be used for the comet to be visible. 

PAGASA also said it may eventually vanish from sight in the sunset glow due to its proximity to the Sun. 

Meanwhile, the Lyrid meteor shower will be observed in the night sky from April 14 to 30 and will reach its peak on April 22. 

“It will be visible once the constellation Hercules, the point in the sky from which the meteor shower appears to originate, rises at around 9:15 p.m. each night and remains active until about 5:13 a.m. the following day,” said PAGASA. 

It noted that the best time to watch the shower is “shortly before dawn,” as up to 18 meteors per hour can be seen. 

Meanwhile, the π-Puppids will be active from April 15 to 28 and will reach its peak on April 23. 

“This meteor shower can be observed after sunset until the shower’s radiant sinks towards the horizon at around 10:11 p.m. The shower is expected to peak at around 8 p.m., so the best display might be seen before the radiant sets on 23 April,” PAGASA said. 

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meteor shower astronomy PAGASA COMET
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