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If clouds part, South Sound residents could see meteors this weekend

By Amelia Dickson

adickson@theolympian.com
Mount Rainier stands in dark relief to the thousands of streaks of light (called star trails) representing the movement of the stars acrossed the night sky during a thirty minute exposure made at Mount Rainier National Park near Reflection Lakes on August 13, 2002.
Mount Rainier stands in dark relief to the thousands of streaks of light (called star trails) representing the movement of the stars acrossed the night sky during a thirty minute exposure made at Mount Rainier National Park near Reflection Lakes on August 13, 2002. Dean J. Koepfler Olympian File

If the rain clouds part this weekend, South Sound residents may get a glimpse of a meteor shower that has been ramping up over the past week.

The International Meteor Organization reports that showers in the Lyrids began Tuesday, and will continue through next Tuesday. The peak night will be Saturday — but that might not work out for local viewers.

The National Weather Service forecasts rain Saturday night.

Friday night will be a better bet for stargazers. The National Weather Service predicts that South Sound skies will be partly cloudy.

Viewers should look toward the constellation Hercules, as meteors will originate there, according to the International Meteor Organization.

To view a simulation of the shower, go to meteorshowers.org.

Amelia Dickson: 360-754-5445

This story was originally published April 20, 2017 at 8:10 PM with the headline "If clouds part, South Sound residents could see meteors this weekend."

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