Abstract
THE APRIL METEORIC DISPLAY.—The shower of Lyrid meteors in April dates from antiquity, and some of the early displays appear to have been of an exceptional and striking character. In 1803 a brilliant exhibition was witnessed in America, and in 1851 it was repeated in Indian skies. In 1863 its visitation as viewed from England was conspicuous, if it lacked the grandeur of old-time spectacles. It is evidently not a phenomenon with attractive features which we can await with confidence every year as in the case of the August Perseids. It is rather an event with possibilities which cannot be definitely predicted because it is affected by irregularities not fully understood. Usually it must be confessed that the shower provides few meteors and disappointment. However, meteoric astronomers anticipate its brilliant revival at any time, and watch the spring skies with a keenness which merits success.
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Our Astronomical Column . Nature 103, 114–115 (1919). https://doi.org/10.1038/103114a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/103114a0