There are many types of arm-grabs in the world. We're talking about those moments when your friend excitedly grabs your arm because a) the movie you're both watching has taken a thrilling turn or b) your favorite player just made a difficult basket or c) a meteor just streaked overhead with drama and flair.
It's the third type of arm grab that's potentially the most satisfying or the most frustrating. If you saw the meteor, too, then you are equally as ebullient. If you missed it? Word has it that it can be hard to clock when the next meteor will show. (Count on more predictable thrills in a movie or more baskets in a game, though.)
Friends and loved ones will likely be doing plenty of arm-grabbery on Sunday, April 21 and Monday, April 22 when the Lyrid Meteor Shower pay our planet a visit. The skinny? "(A)bout 20 meteors per hour" is expected at the showers' peak, says World of Astronomy.
That's a lot of grabbing of friends' arms, for sure, as long as you keep a steady watch.
Another feature of the Lyrids are dust trails that are particularly noticeable. We're inclined to get poetic and call it "star dust" although "meteor dust" would be more accurate.
Look near the constellation of Lyra to see some action.
But here's the bonus: The Lyrids may start up as early as Tuesday, April 16. Call the first ones early arrivals. The celestial scouting party.
If you can't wait for April 21 and 22, there's a Public Star Party at Griffith Observatory on Saturday, April 20. As always, these monthly gatherings are totally free.
Are you set to grab a loved one's arm, meteor mavens, over and over? That's part of the fun of watching for so-called falling stars.
Photo Credit: Lyrids