I’m catching up on observations I’ve made so far this year, starting with the April Lyrids.  The peak night was washed out, but the following night was crystal clear, so it was a good chance for me to see some post-maximum activity.  I drove out late at night to a dark sky site near Renfrew, and it was a beautiful night. Light domes from distant city light pollution were possibly a bit lower than usual due to Covid-19 lockdowns.  Despite a mild day, temperature dropped to -7C, and my only regret was not bringing a sleeping bag.  I was well dressed for the weather, but I was a little bit chilled towards the end of the night.

Although the Lyrids were my main attention, I also kept an eye for minor activity including the possibility of Alpha Virginids (021 AVB) as stated in the IMO’s 2020 Meteor Shower Calendar:

“There may be weak activity from the α-Virginids (021 AVB) related to the minor planet 2010GE35 on 2020 April 24 near 06h25m UT (λ⊙ = 34◦.273) from a radiant α = 198◦, δ = +7◦, showing slow meteors (V∞ = 18 km/s), according to theoretical modelling of J ́er ́emie Vaubaillon.  This is more than 30◦ apart from the ANT which is centred at α = 226◦, δ = −17◦.”.

As I setup, I saw a possible AVB high overhead, a slow and distinct meteor.

I had a great session!  In three hours, I saw 36 meteors (15 Lyrids, 2 anthelions, 2 Alpha Virginids candidates and 17 sporadics).  One of the AVB’s was a very slow +1 golden meteor moving from Corona Borealis to Hercules.  The highlight was a -5 blue-green SPO fireball earthgrazer low in the west that moved slowly for 50 degrees, lasted several seconds and fragmented at the end of its path!

Observation April 22/23 2020, 05:25-08:25 UT (01:25-04:25 EDT)
Location: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
(45°25’48″N 76°38’24″W)

Observed showers:
h Virginids (HVI) – 12:56 (194) -08
Anthelion (ANT) – 14:44 (221) -16
Lyrid (LYR) – 18:09 (272) +33
eta Aquariids (ETA) – 21:34 (323) -07
Alpha Virginids (021 AVB) – 13:12 (198) +07

05:25-06:25 UT (01:25-02:25 EDT); clear; 4/5 trans; F 1.00; LM 6.38; facing SSE50 deg; teff 1.00 hr
LYR: seven: 0; +1; +2; +3(2); +5(2)
ANT: one: +5
AVB: one: +2
Sporadics: five: -5; +3; +4(2); +5
Total meteors: Fourteen

06:25-07:25 UT (02:25-03:25 EDT); clear; 4/5 trans; F 1.00; LM 6.43; facing SSE50 deg; teff 1.00 hr
LYR: three: +3(2); +4
ANT: one: 0
AVB: one: +1
Sporadics: seven: +2; +3(3); +4(2); +5
Total meteors: Twelve

07:25-08:25 UT (03:25-04:25 EDT); clear; 4/5 trans; F 1.00; LM 6.43; facing SSE50 deg; teff 1.00 hr
LYR: five: 0; +1; +2; +4; +5
Sporadics: five: +3(2); +4; +5(2)
Total meteors: Ten

Clear skies,

Pierre Martin
Ottawa, Ontario