Cleveland is a fantastic place to call home, but in some cases, its suburbs are even more rewarding. Less traffic, more space between homes, bigger yards, and, of course, less light pollution. The latter is really important when it comes to viewing meteor showers in Greater Cleveland, as the neon glow of big cities can often over-saturate the sky and drown out the stars. If you’re a city dweller, you’ll want to plan a trip to the suburbs or the countryside this April to catch a glimpse of the Lyrid Meteor Shower.
If you’ve ever spent an evening in Ohio, then you know the majesty of our skies.
Mike Lewinski/Flickr There’s something magical about the fade from dusk to night here in Ohio. The night world comes alive as crickets, tree frogs, and birds sing in unison. The sky, which in many places stretches over a landscape that rolls as far as the eye can see, bursts into flame as the sun melts into the horizon and then is cast with shimmers of dazzling stars. In short, nighttime in Ohio is magical.
While there’s undoubtedly quite a bit of light pollution near our big cities, you can still see the stars depending on where you’re at.
Erik Drost/Flickr It’s true that any city is going to have a bit of light pollution, but as you can see here, moonlight and select stars can be seen from the comfort of the city. However, if you’re craving a more majestic view of the night sky, you’ll want to steal away to the suburbs or venture even further to the countryside.
The Lyrids, also called the April Lyrids or the Lyrid Meteor Shower, is an annual astronomical event taking place between April 16 and April 26.
sugarbear96/Flickr Every year, this incredible annual event dazzles viewers by scattering bursts of light across the sky. It sends thousands of little meteors over the sky, earning the everyday viewer a chance to see up to 18 per hour as it approaches its peak.
During this event, a comet passing by earth releases dust and debris near the constellation Lyra, creating a magnificent meteor shower that typically peaks around April 22.
Bruce McClure and Joni Hall/Wikimedia Commons The Lyrids have been observed since 687 BCE, when the Chinese first took note of stars falling toward the earth like rain. In both 1803, 1922, and 1982, this event produced even more stars than usual. In some cases, stargazers saw up to 90 meteors per hour at the shower’s peak. In the 1803 event, up to 700 meteors were observed. Could this year’s display be just as magical?
These meteors aren’t the brightest thing in the night sky but, if you’re lucky, you just might spot a fireball or two.
Islam Hassan/Flickr Fireballs are unusually bright meteors that outshine even planets in the night sky. Believe it or not, there are thought to be around half a million fireballs occurring annually!
Fortunately for you, there are all sorts of places in Greater Cleveland where you can sneak away and admire the night sky with little to no light pollution.
Aaron Shirk/Flickr Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an absolutely splendid place to go stargazing – their website states that you can see sixth magnitude objects from the park with just pair of binoculars. Several areas are open 24 hours, but plan to bring a buddy or two with you for safety.
Springtime in Cleveland just got so much sweeter – there’s nothing like a meteor shower to capture the imagination.
Erik Drost/Flickr This annual event is one you won’t want to miss – mark your calendar now and budget some time to stargaze!
The April Lyrids are one of the most majestic meteor showers to observe in Greater Cleveland. They’re easily visible, and they make for an unimaginably romantic night. Where will you be viewing this magical meteor shower from?
Mike Lewinski/Flickr
There’s something magical about the fade from dusk to night here in Ohio. The night world comes alive as crickets, tree frogs, and birds sing in unison. The sky, which in many places stretches over a landscape that rolls as far as the eye can see, bursts into flame as the sun melts into the horizon and then is cast with shimmers of dazzling stars. In short, nighttime in Ohio is magical.
Erik Drost/Flickr
It’s true that any city is going to have a bit of light pollution, but as you can see here, moonlight and select stars can be seen from the comfort of the city. However, if you’re craving a more majestic view of the night sky, you’ll want to steal away to the suburbs or venture even further to the countryside.
sugarbear96/Flickr
Every year, this incredible annual event dazzles viewers by scattering bursts of light across the sky. It sends thousands of little meteors over the sky, earning the everyday viewer a chance to see up to 18 per hour as it approaches its peak.
Bruce McClure and Joni Hall/Wikimedia Commons
The Lyrids have been observed since 687 BCE, when the Chinese first took note of stars falling toward the earth like rain. In both 1803, 1922, and 1982, this event produced even more stars than usual. In some cases, stargazers saw up to 90 meteors per hour at the shower’s peak. In the 1803 event, up to 700 meteors were observed. Could this year’s display be just as magical?
Islam Hassan/Flickr
Fireballs are unusually bright meteors that outshine even planets in the night sky. Believe it or not, there are thought to be around half a million fireballs occurring annually!
Aaron Shirk/Flickr
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an absolutely splendid place to go stargazing – their website states that you can see sixth magnitude objects from the park with just pair of binoculars. Several areas are open 24 hours, but plan to bring a buddy or two with you for safety.
This annual event is one you won’t want to miss – mark your calendar now and budget some time to stargaze!
Love stargazing? Just wait until you stargaze from the comfort of your campsite on Lake Erie.
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