Clouds make for Lyrid meteor shower bust on LI

The annual Lyrid meteor shower may have made an appearance this past weekend, but it's questionable how many Long Islanders caught a glimpse.

Both Saturday and Sunday nights saw "an abundance of clouds," making conditions "not ideal" for shooting-star sighting, said Tim Morrin, National Weather Service meteorologist based in Upton.

A few people headed out to the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold Saturday night, but "I don't know of anyone who saw a meteor," said Barbara Lebkeucher, treasurer.

Still, she said, on any given night sporadic meteors can be spotted, as long as the sky is clear and moonless.

And if you can wait until Aug. 10 to 12, you can set aside a reclining chair and stake out a piece of night sky to see the Perseid meteor shower, weather permitting, she said.

That's "the highlight of the year," said Bill Bogardus, Custer's president. Apart from possible thunderstorms, the weather tends to be accommodating, said Bogardus, who confirmed the moon would be new and not overpowering.

"It makes for a great night as long as the moon is not out there competing," he said.