Watch the Skies Tonight : Shooting starts will be all Over - Meteor Check

One of 2012’s top meteor events peaks the night of April 21/22. Although the Lyrid shower doesn’t get as much recognition as many summer and autumn showers do, it often puts on nice display. In a good year, observers can expect to see up to 20 “shooting stars” per hour — an average of one every three minutes — at the Lyrids’ peak.

And conditions should be close to perfect this year. New Moon arrives April 21, so our satellite won’t shed any extraneous light into the sky. The Moon’s presence often hinders meteor viewing by drowning out fainter streaks. For the same reason, the best views of the shower will come from observing sites far from the lights of any city.

You’ll likely want to watch the sky for an hour or more, so comfort is key. Bring along warm clothes and a blanket. Even if evening temperatures are comfortable, you won’t be active and can get cold in a hurry. Have some hot coffee, tea, or soup to ward off the chill. Plan to recline in a lawn chair or lie down on an air mattress. Sitting up straight or standing for long periods will wear you down. http://www.astronomy.com/en/News-Observing/News/2012/04/April%20dark%20skies%20promise%20a%20bevy%20of%20shooting%20stars.aspx