Next Major Meteor Shower - Lyrids - April 22, 2013

Even though we're in a quiet period for shooting stars, it's never too early to get the next meteor shower on your calendar.  On April 22, 2013, we'll get to enjoy the Lyrid meteor shower!  This amazing show features beautiful bright meteors with tails.

You will usually see 10-20 meteors per hour at the peak, but Lyrid showers are sometimes known for unusual surges in the rate up to 100 per hour.  These surges are somewhat unpredictable though.

Best time to watch: After moonset or before dawn on April 22.

Source:  EarthSky.org

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

SpaceX Launch Scheduled for March 1st

According to the NASA website, NASA and its worldwide partners will be launching a resupply flight to the International Space Station (SpaceX) on March 1st.  This mission will be bringing 1,200 pounds of supplies for the crew and for the onboard laboratory.  The return trip will be returning 2,300 pounds of equipment and lab samples back to Earth.

Launch Time: 10:10am EST from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Photo: Courtesy of NASA.gov