2025 lyrids plan
time
22nd April, night.
radiant rises ~22:30 IST on the 22nd
moonrise 02:24 IST on the 23rd
lyrids peak 21:30 IST on the 22nd
We want to reach our viewing point around 23:00, and hand out for a few hours.
places
low to no cloud cover to the northeast of BLR.
we want to time our departure to avoid rush hour, in general.
Denkanikota, TN
low light pollution per the 2023 map
low cloud cover
between 2 and 3 hours by road.
AP border past Kolar
Kolar itself is pretty light-polluted but there are patches of low light pollution off that highway. Darkest possible would be all the way to the AP border.
Avulapalle, near Irala - 4h out
Baireddipalle and south of it - between 2 and 3 hours
Venkatagirikota, Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
This is the KA-AP-TN border. between 3 and 4 hours to reach.
Very pretty. Perhaps another time.
Madinapalle, AP
2.5-3.5 hours. very pretty.
NH42 between Krishnagiri and Kuppam (Kuppam road)
relatively nearby, darkest spot in that radius I think. Anywhere between 2.5 nd 4 hours.
transport
PLAN A - TRANSPORTER ITIHAS
car
me + 4 passengers
bikes
@zoomzoom + pillion
@fabellous chiko + pillion
total capacity of this plan - 9 people
PLAN B - NOOBS ON BIKES
bikes
@zoomzoom + pillion
@fabellous chiko + pillion
@uwuca
me
@fabellous calor
plan capacity - 7 people
PLAN C - TRANSPORTER UNKNOWN
car
unknown kidnapped driver friend + 4 passengers
bikes
@zoomzoom + pillion
@fabellous chiko + pillion
plan capacity - 9 people
PLAN D - CAPITALISM
taxi
4 passengers (up to 7 if we get an XL)
bikes
whoever wants em, probably the usual suspects + pillions
plan capacity - 9, optionally extensible to 11
Considerations
returning in the late night - unconfident drivers will also be sleepy.
idally we pick somehwere very nearby, and compromise the meteor chances somewhat. if this change in priorities passes a vote, that's fine I guess.
capitalism costs money.
if I get back in practice driving, many things become easier. noting this, listening and learning.